Graig Farm - Who We Are > Malawi In Crisis

Malawi In Crisis

Bob and Carolyn Kennard, founders of Graig Farm, lived and worked in Malawi for a number of years, having known the country since the 1970's. They have a great attachment to the country and especially the people of this landlocked southern African state, which is the sixth poorest in the world.

Girl selling fruit in happier days in Malawi

Girl selling fruit in Malawi in happier days

It was with particular shock that they heard of Malawi's current plight in 2002. They contacted a Malawian friend to find out the current situation. His reply in April 2002 was :"Truly, Malawi is in total humiliation of hunger. The hunger situation is nationally extensive, both adults and children in the rural setting dying of malnutrition deaths here and there. Maize is being imported from Tanzania and South Africa, but not available to poor rural due to financial lacking."

A Malawi farm

A typical family farmstead in Malawi in normal times

A traditional Grain store in Nkhotakota, now, it seems, empty.

"In Nkhotakota (the region where the Kennards lived), hunger has badly hit the Mwansambo area situated about 60km south west of Nkhotakota Boma. It is believed that over 90% of farm families in this area do not have food."

Malawi Homestead in happier times

A Malawi Farmer's Homestead in happier times

"Karonga (in the North of Malawi) is equally bad on a national comparison but not to a level of Mwansambo in Nkhotakota. There could be malnutrition illnesses. Karonga is advantaged to be bordering Tanzania where there is plenty of maize crossing the border into the District. Probably, again lack of financial muscle could be limiting to afford the grain."

"As I am writing now, Karonga is in serious floods due to non stop heavy rain pours right in my home area covering a stretch of about 15 kilometres across. I am yet to find out the real extent it could be more kilometres covered in floods. Maize and cassava crops are failing again although rice is benefiting. Residential houses are collapsing causing homelessness."

This first-hand account is being backed-up by journalists reports from Malawi.

Recent Save the Children Fund picture of Malawian child

Recent picture from Save the Children Fund of Malawian Child

The Save the Children Fund reports : "A major food shortage is affecting Malawi as well as five other countries in southern Africa. Prices of maize have significantly increased in recent months, to upwards of 500 per cent in some parts of the country. The food security situation continues to deteriorate, and six million people are on the edge of famine. USAID speculates that at least 100-150 people are dying every day of starvation or starvation-related diseases. Malnutrition rates as high as 20 per cent have been reported, as well as very high and 'severe' oedema."

For more information telephone 020 7703 5400 or www.savethechildren.org.uk

The Malawian Association for Christian Support (MACS) (a UK-based Charity) reports : "Already struggling with one of the worst Aids epidemics in Africa, the small southern African nation of Malawi faces a new and equally serious catastrophe: famine. Whilst Malawi’s Aids crisis is relatively well documented, the current famine has remained largely unreported despite warnings that 7.7 million people are at risk of imminent starvation." (Contact at MACS. 2 Ashurst Cottage, Plumpton, East Sussex, BN7 3AP Tel: 01273 890 155

There have been other recent reports from the BBC, the Independent and the Daily Mirror. It is apparent that a major tragedy is unfolding in Malawi. The World Food Programme is warning of imminent danger of mass starvation.

What Can We Do?

The Kennards have a great feeling of impotence in the face of such suffering amongst people with whom they have lived and worked. As Carolyn puts it "We hear of these African tragedies happening and somehow it seems impersonal. However, when you know the country and the people, it becomes all too real. We produce the very best quality food, but to think that there are people we have met who do not have enough of any type of food, then we have to do something."

For a period since June 2002, Graig Farm Organics donated £1 for every mail order placed. This money was sent to Save the Children and MACS.

Whilst the donations from Graig Farm have stopped for the moment, any customers of Graig Farm who wish to make additional donations themselves can contact either organisation directly, using the following contact details :

Save the Children Fund:www.savethechildren.org.uk
or telephone :020 7703 5400

The Malawian Association for Christian Support (MACS) : 2 Ashurst Cottage, Plumpton, East Sussex, BN7 3AP Tel: 01273 890 155

Thank you