Story by Vivian Bangamu
Malawi has received an insurance payout from the African Development Bank, for the El Nino-induced drought.
The US$11.2 million policy was secured through the African Risk Capacity Group, an agency of the African Union.
Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera says the payout is a lifeline for the vulnerable populations, following the country’s declaration of a state of disaster earlier this year.
According to the African Development Bank, the funds will support food assistance to over 200 000 households in some of Malawi’s hardest-hit regions and as direct relief payments to more than 100 000 households.
Reports say the country in March declared a state of emergency and food crisis in 23 of its 28 districts, which was attributed to the El Nino natural weather phenomenon that lasted a year before ending in June.
Meanwhile, SADC heads of state and government, who met for a summit in Zimbabwe at the weekend noted that around 17 percent of the region’s population, which is just over 60 million people, is in need of help due to the drought.
In the meantime, Zambia and Zimbabwe are expected to receive their drought insurance payouts by September, according to the African Development Bank.
