Dzaleka refugees get farm inputs boost
Refugees at Dzaleka Camp in Dowa are eyeing bumper yields this season following a boost in farm inputs which they have received from Churches Action in Relief and Development (Card) in a programme starting with the disabled.
Card executive director Melton Luhanga said the inputs were distributed a few weeks ago, in December, and on Tuesday, the organisation was monitoring the progress.
“As a faith-based organisation, we believe in promoting equality.
“That is why we have started the programme with persons with disabilities so that they have somewhere to start from. We will soon also incorporate others,” he said.
Luhanga further said the total budget for the programme is K118 million for seven districts and the plan is to empower people in agriculture and entrepreneurship.
A representative of the beneficiaries, Musiri Fidel, said the assistance has brought hope to many families which could not afford quality seeds and farming equipment due to limited income-earning opportunities and their physical challenges.
“The first thing is that it’s a big challenge to be a refugee because you go through a lot to get resources and even when an opportunity comes, physical challenges are another obstacle.
“So, when such assistance comes, it brings great hope and relief,” said Fidel.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) associate programmes officer in Malawi Rose Eyoru-Timbaganya said refugee camps house people with different talents, but they lack support. n
