World Vision International on Wednesday launched the “ENOUGH” campaign aimed at ending child hunger and malnutrition at a ceremony which took place in New York, United States of America.
In a statement, World Vision International President, Andrew Morley announced an investment of $3.4 billion over three years into work that will reduce hunger and improve the nutritional status of 125 million children in 67 countries, where they are suffering most, including Malawi.
“World Vision’s financial commitment comprises $1.2 billion in donations from private sources and in micro-finance loans given out by Vision Fund to hungry families plus $2.2 billion from institutional donors like governments and United Nations (UN) agencies who are investing in the organisation’s work,” said Morley.
In an interview, Advocacy and Communications Director for World Vision Malawi Charles Gwengwe said the ENOUGH campaign will target two million children and youths in Malawi.
“In Malawi, with a population of 18 million people, children face many challenges like poverty, climate-related disasters such as floods and drought and deforestation. This year we had to overcome new devastations from Cyclone Freddy that affected our infrastructure and killed hundreds of people, including children.
“All these add to hunger and malnutrition. All of these challenges are increasing and we are doing everything we can. However, communities simply do not have the resources they need to tackle these issues alone and this is where partnerships come in,” he said.
Gwengwe said World Vision has been working in Malawi for more than 40 years and has been supporting thousands of farmers to increase their income, protect the environment and to better withstand disasters.
“This means if more children get the food they need, more children can stay in school, concentrate in class and be protected but we must go further, ensuring that no-one is left behind. Every child must have the nutrition they need to stay in school, to be healthy and to achieve their dreams to be free from hunger and malnutrition,” Gwengwe said.
In his address during the ENOUGH campaign, President Dr Lazarus Chakwera who was a keynote and guest speaker at the launch event on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) said the campaign is timely because it augurs with his administration’s prioritisation of nutrition as a catalyst for economic growth and development.
He said the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Report of 2023 registered a negative net maize stock figure for the 2023/2024 consumption season brought on by reductions in production due to low usage of fertilizers, crop destruction by Tropical Cyclone Freddy and post-harvest loses.
“In addition, the Post National Disaster Report following the Cyclone highlights that crop losses have led to food scarcity, hindering proper child-feeding practices and access to nutrition services. Health services are strained, exacerbating cholera cases. This, coupled with reduced food intake, is driving up acute malnutrition rate,” he said.
President Chakwera said the launch of a new global campaign to tackle child hunger and malnutrition is, therefore, timely as countries are facing various challenges in the provision of nutritious food to the child population.
He, therefore, called upon development partners to support countries that are food insecure with food and non-food items that will enable them recover and produce more for its people.
Out of 18 million Malawians, approximately 5.4 million people in Malawi face moderate or severe chronic food insecurity due to abject poverty and recurrent shocks, among other drivers.
Reported By Sarah Munthali
