NBM plc donates 1,000 maize bags to Zomba families hit by drought

Food relief just hit Zomba, and 1,000 struggling households finally caught a break after months of scraping by.

NBM plc maize donation in Zomba

• National Bank of Malawi handed over 1,000 maize bags to DoDMA.
• Zomba families gathered at St. Anthony under Traditional Authority Mlumbe.
• NBM plc tied the support to the National Food Relief Initiative.
• Masauko Katsala said the bank felt pushed to answer the national call.

State of disaster and funding pledge

• Peter Mutharika had earlier declared a State of Disaster.
• A long dry spell hit 11 districts across Malawi.
• January saw NBM plc promise K300 million for relief.
• That pledge sits within the bank’s corporate responsibility culture.

Government response and progress

• Rashid Ntelera praised the bank’s quick move.
• Authorities requested K7.1 billion for full support.
• Delivered aid, along with Blantyre support in February, nears that target.
• Ntelera suggested contributions may even surpass projections.

District impact and recovery efforts

• Musandide Misinjo said about 8,145 Zomba families face hunger.
• Senior Chief Mlumbe’s area accounts for roughly 3,000 households.
• Farmers have uprooted failed crops after the dry conditions.
• Sweet potato vines and cassava cuttings are being distributed.

Community reaction

• Joyce Mwanza shared appreciation for the maize relief.
• Households expect the bags to steady their food supply.