Living in the abyss: hunger in Mchinji district, Malawi

Living in the abyss: hunger in Mchinji district, Malawi

Published Jan 2002

Authors

O. M. Kamowa, false

Publisher

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The extent and severity of food shortages amongst the most vulnerable

This paper presents the findings of an assessment of the food shortages experienced in the Mchinji district in Malawi's notoriously dry central region, in early 2002. This study was a result of previous assessments in this area which highlighted significant vulnerability to food insecurity and hunger.

The key finding of the assessment found that Mchinji was experiencing food shortages three months before the normal food scarcity months of January and February. Other important findings include:

  • income from crop production in all wealth groups had dramatically fallen
  • access to agricultural and casual work was being curtailed
  • to compensate for the increase in staple food (maize) prices, the poorer households expanded their coping strategies well in advance of other wealth groups
  • although there had been rapid expansion of coping strategies, poor households were facing a deficit of 29% in their annual food requirement.

The author presents some recommendations for the avoidance of future food crises in this area.

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