Catholic Entity’s Annual Lenten Appeal to Benefit Malawi’s Climate Change Victims

In the February 14 report, Trócaire officials describe Malawi as “one of the poorest countries in the world and a heavy dependence on agriculture renders it particularly susceptible to climate shocks, such as cyclones, flooding, and droughts, which have a devastating impact on people’s income and food security.”

They attribute the “food insecurity” and the “cycle of poverty” bedevilling families in Malawi to environmental degradation, resulting from deforestation and soil erosion, which combine to negatively affect agricultural productivity.

Trócaire officials go on to highlight extreme climate changes in the country that they say have resulted in droughts and floods over the years thereby destroying crops and subjecting families to hunger.

Referring to Tropical Cyclone Freddy that destroyed homes rendering more people homeless in March 2023, they say that “cyclones are becoming more frequent and more violent with each passing year”.

In the absence of floods,  Trócaire officials say that families are forced to travel longer distances in search of water, which still threatens their health because they have to share the same water sources with animals.

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Working with partners in Malawi, Trócaire programs “support communities to access safe water through the construction of water supply schemes; to sustainably manage their natural resources through agroforestry, soil and water conservation,” they say.

The programs also “support communities to increase their access to food through supporting training in improved climate-resilient agricultural practices and facilitating access to seeds and planting materials.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.