Highlights
The number of people in need of food assistance is expected to increase in the 2016/17 consumption year due to a poor harvest as a result of the El Niño Phenomenon. The Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee is planning to undertake an earlier than usual annual assessment of the food security situation in the last week of April, which will provide a clearer picture of the full extent of food insecurity resulting from the effects of the El Niño.
By the end of February 2016, a UNICEF supported mass screening drive which started in December 2015 had been rolled out in 24 districts reaching 955,962 children of which 13,477 (1.4%) were found to be severely acute malnourished. The mass screening drive has brought tremendous results in terms of active case findings as well as immediate treatment and saving of children’s lives. UNICEF also continued supporting the delivery of critical life-saving commodities for the treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition.
Preparations are underway for the relocation of refugees from Mozambique from Kapise Village to Luwani camp. The relocation is set to begin on Friday 15th April 2016.
UNICEF continues to support the cholera outbreak response and has provided cholera prevention services to Mozambican refugees at Kapise Village.