Malawi’s development partners have appealed for transparency in the way government will respond to food crisis in the country.
The donors made the remarks in Lilongwe yesterday during the launch of the 2016/17 Food Insecurity Response Plan (Firp).
President Peter Mutharika launched the plan, whose aim is to assist about 6.5 million vulnerable people that face food insecurity according to the June 2016 report of the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee.
US Ambassador, Virginia Palmer, said there has to be a transparent and coherent approach involving a number of stakeholders in making food available to people.
“Admarc’s interventions must be more transparent to respond to the humanitarian crisis. Admarc needs to coordinate the distribution of maize and other commodities with WFP and other humanitarian actors to ensure fair access to those in need. Coordination will save us millions of dollars,” she said.
Palmer said Admarc has to put in place measures to stabilise maize prices.
“Malawian consumers continue to suffer the most volatile maize prices in the region. Easily available information about where Admarc has maize available and at what prices, will help stop speculation and slow price volatility. The days of back door sales to commercial and other interested people must come to an end,” Palmer said.
Acting UN Resident Coordinator, Amakobe Sande, said a good humanitarian response requires leadership and coordination from the government at all levels.
“It is possible if we don’t let go reforms efforts. There will be more crises to come. Malawi needs to have institutions in place that are able to better prepare for, manage and respond to crisis. Key among these reform efforts is to do with Admarc. Sky-rocketing food prices would jeopardise the assumptions that are the basis of the current MVAC numbers,” She said.
She added: “Prevention is a better investment than a response. The importance of investing in prevention cannot be underestimated.”
The plan identifies areas of food security, agriculture, nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene, education, health and protection.
Government needs $395.1 million to respond to the crisis. Currently, confirmed pledges are $91.3 million. The resource gap is $303.81 million.
During the launch Mutharika appealed for more assistance.
“I would like to appeal to all development partners and governments, private sector, multinational corporations, non-government organisations and all people of goodwill to support implementation of the response plan, whether in cash or in kind. The task before us requires a coordinated effort of all of us,” he said.
Mutharika added: “We will ensure that all the donations are diligently managed and that people in need are assisted.”
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