The CCAP Blantyre Synod Relief Program has been operational since early 2002 in Malawi with a field base in Chingale. The main aim of this disaster relief intervention was to alleviate suffering and preserve the lives of persons affected by floods and famine in Chingale Division of Zomba District. This was done through the provision of emergency relief and supplies in a way that would restore the health of the most vulnerable sectors of the population as well as equip them to regain and manage their own future food security. Out of the Chingale Division’s total population of 189,000, the initial targeted population was expanded from 26,000 persons to 50,000 persons (8,500 households in 192 villages) in the five communities under Group Village Headmen Balamanja, Masaula, Fikira, Mbukitwe and Nkasala.

The intervention period was extended from the initial four months to May 2003; the total period covered by this report extends from February 2002 through May 2003. The five centers chosen did floods and drought hit the worst for the last two years, resulting in high levels of malnutrition and under-five deaths.

The choice of intervention was guided by the levels of mortality and morbidity measured at national and local levels and confirmed by focus groups of village leaders, volunteers, women’s groups, as well as church leaders from the target area. During early 2002, two to four village groups per day were interviewed; more than 100 community leaders in all were consulted on program design, their needs, and intervention strategies. This led to the selection of specific areas where there were the most vulnerable people in most need of emergency relief with the majority living in poor hygiene and fragile environmental conditions.

This 16-month disaster intervention has generally been very successful in terms of delivering the needed assistance to the targeted population. The relief project staff have worked hard with allot of commitment and competence. The interventions were timely, carried out with speed and well coordinated with local leaders, traditional authorities and religious leaders. coordination was also carried out with the agriculture, health and education ministries of the government of Malawi. The grassroots Joint Relief Committees (JRCs) selected by the local leaders and Traditional Authorities at the five distribution centers of the recipient population functioned very well under severe and stressful conditions and formed the backbone of a cost-effective distribution system supervised by food monitors of the relief program.

The intervention comprised an under five nutritional and medical program, a school feeding program in 24 primary schools, an agricultural seed program, a general food distribution program, and the provision of non-food items — health kits and a psychosocial program (adult literacy and pre-school).

General food distribution (1950 MT of maize) reached 11,500 households (57,500 individuals). Maize seed (37.1 MT) with fertilizers (74 MT) were given to 7400 households, bean seed (13.8 MT) to 3500 household’s, soybean seed (1.2 MT) to 600 households and cassava cuttings (80,000 cases) provided to 4000 households. In the psychosocial program, 800 children were enrolled and attending pre-school, 405 adults are enrolled and attending literacy classes. Approximately 5000 individuals per month have accessed medical care for the last 16 months. Health kits were distributed to 26,250 persons.

However, more remains to be done. The targeted communities are being encouraged to examine their preparedness for future crisis situations. Given current climatic, environmental and ecological realities, consideration should be given as to how best to promote diversified and more drought resistant cropping systems.

Project Relevance

From the demographic and health statistics of the area in early 2002 and based on group interviews conducted by Ivan DeKam, Consultant from the Church World Service (USA), at all the centers in June 2003, Ivan writes “the disaster intervention carried out to date seems to be extremely relevant”. Group interviews were conducted at each of the relief centers of Nkasala, Masaula, Fikira, Balamanja and Mbukwite. Persons participating in the interview were members of the Joint Relief Committees, traditional authorities and leaders, religious leaders and residents from the 192 villages as well as representatives from the ministries of health and agriculture.

“Based on responses to questions posed in interviews the total response has addressed the needs faced by the target group in a culturally acceptable fashion. At the time of the intervention initiation, the population was reeling from the effects of the flooding and famine. The provision of maize to targeted families, school feeding, supplemental feeding for the malnourished children under-five years, the provision of starter packs (maize seed and fertilizers, bean seed and cassava cuttings) and limited medical assistance by the nursing staff of the Program were generally credited with the saving of hundreds lives of adults and children, fostering hope and thus reversing a crisis situation,” Ivan continues:

“A key feature of the relevant nature of this intervention was the role of the local leaders, traditional authorities and JRCs. The Group Village Headmen (GVH) and the Chiefs were key figures in electing the Joint Relief Committees (JRCs) from residents in the target communities. The JRCs reflected the gender and religious demographics of the area. The JRCs with the GVH and the chiefs worked together to register the families and individuals with critical needs related to crisis situation. The JRCs, the chiefs, the GVH and the relief programs food monitors did final identification of households and special needs individuals for food and other types of assistance. All JRCs reported strong levels of support from the local leaders and traditional authorities in carrying out the food and seed distribution”.

Overall Goal of the Chingale Relief Intervention

The stated goal was “to alleviate the suffering and preserve the lives of approximately 35,000-40,000 extremely vulnerable persons in areas of Balamanja, Mbukitwe, Masaula, Fikira and Nkasala in the Chingale Division of Zomba District in the Southern Region of Malawi by means of the integrated Food Relief Program.”

The goal as stated has been achieved and exceeded. It can safely be said that 57,500 extremely vulnerable persons have had their suffering alleviated to varying degrees through the distribution of critically needed food. The figure stated above carries with it the fact that a significant number of individuals have benefited from more than one intervention (general feeding, seeds, school feeding, Unimix, medical assistance, preschool and adult literacy classes).

General Objectives

The stated objective was “to supply and distribute 1,425 metric tons of emergency food aid in order to meet the critical food needs and improve the nutritional status of approximately 50,000 vulnerable persons in Chingale Division, during the 16 months period March 2002 through May 2003." The general objective has been attained and exceeded. A total of 3,057 MT of food has been distributed to 57,500 persons during the 16 month period via the General Food Maize Distribution and Pastoral Care Program.

Performance Indicators

The stated performance indicators (combined Phases I & II) in the proposal were:

• CCAP will supply and distribute a total of 2131 metric tons of emergency food aid to the targeted population by April 30,2003. Monthly distribution rates will be in accordance with requirements of WFP (400 gm per person per day, cereal)

• A total of 3,057 MT of food aid has been distributed. However, pulses, edible oil and salt were not part of the ration and thus the full WFP standards were not met due to scarce financial resources.
• CCAP will endeavor to distribute the food ration to the targeted beneficiaries throughout the relief operation. Although CCAPS’ food monitors will make every effort to minimize the informal re-distribution of the food rations by conducting continuous post-distribution monitoring (PDM) assessments, a limited percentage of the food commodities will be shared and consequently some rations will be diluted. Some groups may also not be fully assisted due to access especially when it starts raining.

In all food distribution actions with the exception of the school feeding and the pastoral care programs, the actual recipients were less than the targeted number of recipients. In each instance when and where this occurred, the JRCs with the Traditional Authorities and the food monitors reassessed which individuals were the most vulnerable and in critical need and then distributed the food accordingly. The inability to meet the needs of all participants was a function of available financial resources and the judgment of Management, food monitors and traditional authorities as to attaining maximum impact in saving lives, reducing vulnerability and attaining a stable level of health. However, this did lead to some dissatisfaction among the general population not served but with genuine needs.