President Lazarus Chakwera has officially declared a State of National Disaster in 23 districts across Malawi, profoundly affected by the adverse impacts of El-Nino weather conditions. These districts have been grappling with irregular rainfall, flooding, and prolonged rainy seasons, consequently leading to a significant downturn in agricultural output. Nearly two million farming households have borne the brunt of these harsh weather conditions, facing severe challenges in sustaining their livelihoods.
The decision to declare a State of National Disaster was prompted by a comprehensive report presented to President Chakwera by the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with key institutions such as UNDP and DoDMA, as per his directive. Highlighting the severity of the situation, Dr. Chakwera reiterated that the affected districts have been grappling with erratic weather patterns, inundations, and extended dry spells, culminating in a sharp decline in agricultural productivity.
In his address to the nation on Saturday evening, President Chakwera underscored the profound impact of climate change, manifesting in unpredictable rainfall patterns, destructive floods, and prolonged droughts. He revealed that a staggering 749,113 hectares of crop production have been adversely affected, constituting 44.3% of the national agricultural area.
