Public urged to return Lent donations to Trócaire as millions face hunger in Malawi

The public in the Midlands is being urged to return Lent donations as Trócaire warns millions could face hunger in Malawi in coming months.

David O’Hare, who works for Trócaire, has recently returned from Malawi in southern Africa where he saw the devastating impacts of climate change.

The President of Malawi has just declared a State of Disaster in 23 out of the 28 districts in Malawi to try to help the millions of people now facing hunger due to crop failures.

“One of the poorest countries in the world, Malawi is also one that is suffering the consequences of climate change most acutely. The problem is water - either too much or too little.

"Farmers told me that the number of cyclones and floods have increased and droughts are now more prolonged and severe. The upshot is the same. Crops either wither and die in the ground during the droughts or are washed away in the floods and families can’t harvest enough to feed themselves,” David said.

“The farmers I spoke to told me that a prolonged dry spell in February has spelt disaster for the maize harvest – the staple crop in Malawi. I witnessed field after field of dead crops and these were what people were relying on to feed their families.

"The people of Malawi are used to having to deal with ‘hungry months’ where the depleted harvests run out and to get through to the next harvest people have to look at other ways to feed themselves.

"Ironically, one of these ‘coping mechanisms’ is cutting down trees to make charcoal to sell which increases the vulnerability of the land during the floods. The ‘hungry months’ in the past usually start around November until the next harvest in April. It is feared this year that the food shortages could start as early as May and as a consequence 4.5 million people, over 20% of the entire population, could face hunger.”

David O'Hare continued: “Trócaire will be ramping up our humanitarian emergency response in the coming weeks to support those most in need in this crisis but even though the situation I witnessed in Malawi was gravely concerning there was hope amidst the challenges.

"I saw amazing projects implemented by our partners on the ground and funded by donations from people in Westmeath, Offaly and right across Ireland – projects that are quite literally changing lives. I saw reforestation work in the villages where native trees are replanted to return protection to the soil in the face of the floods.

"I saw agro-ecology projects where farmers are taught about the different crops they can grow so they aren’t solely dependent on maize. This approach utilises varieties of crops and vegetables that are naturally resistant to drought and the holistic approach taken means families have something to harvest all year round. This not only provides sustenance but increased nutritional goodness for children. The communities where we have implemented these projects are less susceptible to the climate shocks many in the country are experiencing,” he commented.

“This is what I love about my job - seeing the difference even small interventions can make to people’s lives and witnessing the quiet dignity, strength and resilience that people exhibit as they strive to make life better for their families is very humbling and inspiring.

"The donations from Westmeath and Offaly to this year’s Lenten Appeal will continue to support the people we work with in Malawi and right across the world going forward and I can’t stress how important these donations are as parents should not have to wonder where they will get the food to feed their families and children shouldn’t have to go to bed hungry,” David concluded.

To make a donation to the Trócaire Lenten Appeal visit https://www.trocaire.org/, call 1800 408 408 or contact your local parish.