• comms

Hope amid hardship—Mary’s story

Nsanje, Malawi – For Mary Daimoni, a 25-year-old single mother from Group Village Dick, Traditional Authority Ndamera, life has been an uphill battle. As a person with disability, farming is nearly impossible for her, making it difficult to provide for her 7-year-old daughter.

The ongoing drought has only worsened their struggles, sometimes forcing them to sleep on an empty stomach."The money that I have received will help me to get food. Our communities are facing acute hunger, and life is not easy now. Farming is difficult for me, and this cash assistance has come at the right time. I am forever grateful," Mary expressed.

Like many others in her community, Mary has often relied on well-wishers for food. In some instances, her young daughter has had to do piecework to help them survive. But hope has arrived through the ECHO HIP drought response project, a critical initiative funded by the European Union through CARE.

The ECHO HIP drought response project aims to provide immediate relief to households severely impacted by the El Niño phenomenon. The initiative is being implemented in Traditional Authorities Ndamera and Tengani and is a collaborative effort involving CARE, Eagles, CADECOM, Njira Impact (formerly FOCCAD), Self Help Africa, Save the Children and YONECO.

This six-month project includes a three-month cash transfer program, assisting 1,760 households facing food insecurity. The support prioritizes lactating mothers, pregnant women and women with children under five years old (60%), as well as elderly individuals, persons with disabilities and child-headed households (40%), ensuring that the most vulnerable receive the help they need. Each household receives MK 92,500 per month for three months, enabling them to purchase nutritious food essential for their survival.

In addition to cash support, targeted women will participate in nutrition education sessions to promote healthy eating habits and improve family well-being. This initiative is not just about distributing cash; it is about empowering communities, strengthening resilience and fostering long-term nutritional well-being.

By ensuring that the most vulnerable have access to financial assistance and nutritional guidance, the project is making a significant impact on food security in Nsanje. 

"This assistance will help me and my daughter survive," Mary said with relief. "For the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful".

With continued collaboration and commitment from all stakeholders, the ECHO HIP drought response project is paving the way for a brighter future for thousands of families in Malawi.

Through compassion, resilience and coordinated efforts, lives are being changed and communities are being uplifted.