- MVAC Vulnerability Update Report
The Malawi Vulnerability and Assessment Committee (MVAC) has released the vulnerability update report following the review of the food security situation in October 2012. The report projects that a total of 1,972,993 people will have missing food entitlements (MFEs) during the 2012/2013 season. This represents a 21%increase from the population that was projected in the June 2012 report. Consequently, maize requirement for the population with MFEs has increased from 75,394 mt to 84,811mt (cash equivalent of MK6,784,897,674). The 16 affected districts include Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chradzulu, Dedza, Machinga, Mangochi, Mulaje, Mwanza, Neno, Nsanje, Ntcheu, Phalombe, Salima, Thyoo and Zomba. The food deficit has been attributed to poor rainfall performance, increase in prices of food and essential non-food items, devaluation of local currency and instability in the supply of fuel products which is contributing to logistical problems. Among others, the report recommends the continuation of the on-going humanitarian response programme. It also urges the government and development partners to conduct a nutrition survey in the affected areas to assess the nutritional status of the vulnerable populations. A detailed report of the annual forecast is attached.
