FDH Bank Plc has announced a significant partnership with the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) to support food security efforts in Malawi.

This follows a series of natural disasters that have exacerbated the country's food crisis.

Malawi has faced a severe drought crisis linked to the El Niño climate phenomenon, leading to President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera declaring a state of disaster on March 23 in 23 of the country’s 28 districts.

The declaration came in anticipation of a poor harvest and included an appeal for over $200 million in humanitarian assistance.

"Our preliminary assessment is that close to 2 million farming households have been affected," President Chakwera specified.

"Specifically, 749,113 hectares of maize have been affected, representing 44.3 percent of the national crop area."

In response to the President's declaration, FDH Bank Plc has stepped forward to support the NFRA’s efforts by procuring and delivering 100 metric tonnes of maize, equivalent to 2,000 50kg bags, valued at MK 95,500,000. This maize is expected to support 2,000 families across the country.

NFRA, tasked with the procurement, storage, and distribution of maize on humanitarian grounds, will ensure the proper storage and distribution of the maize in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA).

FDH Bank Plc’s Head of Marketing and Communication, Levie Nkunika, emphasized the importance of the initiative.

Nkunika said, "At FDH Bank Plc, we are deeply committed to the well-being of our fellow Malawians. Partnering with NFRA to safeguard food security at the household level is not just a corporate social responsibility."

"It is part of our way of doing business as we believe in being closer to the community, especially in times of need. We are always ready to play our part in supporting our communities in difficult times.”

NFRA’s Chief Executive Officer, George Macheka, expressed his gratitude, saying, "We are immensely grateful to FDH Bank Plc for their support. This partnership is a testament to the strength and unity of Malawians."

"We hope other institutions will emulate the good example set by FDH Bank. Together we can ensure that no Malawian dies of hunger."