Malawi has received a combined $14.2 million (about K14 billion) of relief in climate insurance payout from the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group.

Speaking when receiving the payment yesterday at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, President Lazarus Chakwera said all Malawians whose crops did not do well due to the natural disasters that hit the country during the agriculture season, will be supported.

He said: “When I went around the country on a crop inspection tour and assured Malawians that the country had enough food for everyone and that even those few whose crops had not done well would be provided for.

Chakwera (L) and Maruping (R) during the symbolic
presentation of the cheque

“My confidence came from the fact that we had taken this insurance policy to support Malawians in this time of need.”

Chakwera further assured that the funds will reach the intended people and not be lost through corruption.

“No dollar of this payout for the vulnerable people whose crops have not done well will be lost through corruption, and no laws of Malawi will be breached in the administration of it.”

In her remarks, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Madalitso Wirima Kambauwa agreed the payout will provide key support for targeted food and cash assistance to those affected by droughts.

She said the country has in the past 10 years experienced prolonged dry spells, affecting many households through crop wilting, scorching or total failure leading to food insecurity.

On his part, ARC Group board chairperson Mothae Anthony Maruping said was optimistic that the payout would provide relief to the vulnerable people.

“Such payouts enab le countries to immediately provide the relief after disasters to ensure that people, particularly vulnerable groups do not suffer after disasters such as droughts, floods or any other forms of disaster caused by extreme weather,” he said.

Germany is one of the biggest donors of ARC, and German Ambassador Ralph Timmermann pledged continued support to Malawi in mitigating the disaster effects of global climate change.

Malawi is a signatory of the ARC Treaty established by African Risk Capacity, a specialised agency of the African Union, aimed at helping AU member States improve their capacities to plan, prepare and respond to extreme weather events  

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