I. HIGHLIGHTS / KEY PRIORITIES
Since the start of the rainfall season in November 2013, 7,344 households have been affected by rainstorms in 17 districts, of which 1,525 households were affected by floods in Mangochi district.
Malawi also experienced an outbreak of armyworms which affected 2,601 ha of crop fields in 14 districts, of which a total of 547 ha in Blantyre and Machinga were the most affected.
Sightings of red locusts have also been reported around Lake Chilwa, and there are concerns that once nymphs hatch in February/March, these locusts could cause damage to crops.
According to the latest update of the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC), more than 1.85 million people will need food assistance between now and March 2014. The World Food Program and the International Non-Governmental Organization Consortium (led by Save the Children) continues to support Government in distributing food to food insecure communities. A total of 1.6 million people were reached during the month of January. The MVAC conducted a national rapid food security monitoring exercise towards the end of January. Preliminary findings show that the food security situation is stable.
A donor aid freeze following reports of financial mismanagement in government ministries has negatively impacted service provision especially in sectors which are heavily dependent on aid.
Government has had to restructure expenditure through reductions in its monthly funding provided to its departments, which in turn is affecting service delivery.
