BY Daniel Harkins | March 16 | 
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Mary’s Meals to share in £200,000 funding from Scottish Government
The charity will split the money with children’s charity UNICEF as part of efforts to help people affected by floods in Malawi.
Mary’s Meals will share in a £200,000 award from the Scottish Government to help people recovering from severe flooding in Malawi. The money will be split between the charity, named after Our Lady, and children’s charity UNICEF.
Mary’s Meals already works in Malawi, which has been suffering from the worst floods to hit the country in 50 years. In total 25 out of 28 districts in Malawi are facing food insecurity following the January 2105 floods, according to the Scottish Government. In December 2015 alone, more than 7500 cases of severe or moderate malnutrition were identified and referred to treatment facilities.
Mary’s Meals provide school meals for children around the world, encouraging attendance at school as well as feeding the malnourished. More than one million children are being fed daily to the charity’s work.
“The floods at the beginning of last year were some of the worst Malawi has ever seen, and many people lost their homes and livelihood,” Martin Swinchatt, country director of Mary’s Meals Malawi, said. “Since then, erratic weather, drought, and widespread crop failure have all contributed to the current food crisis and maize prices are incredibly high.
“We’re very grateful to the Scottish Government for awarding funding at this critical time. By providing porridge to children in school, Mary’s Meals is helping to support families whose children would otherwise be going without food.
“Throughout this period of food insecurity, it is even more vital to support hungry children with a daily meal while they learn, and we thank the Scottish Government for allowing us to help more learners and their families through our school feeding programme.”
Scottish International Development Minister Humza Yousaf (above) announced the new funding today.
“Having access to safe, sufficient, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle should be an automatic right,” he said. “This funding will help those most in need. We are committed to doing all we can to help our friends in Malawi to overcome the effects of the devastating floods.
“Scotland and Malawi have an important relationship which now spans over 150 years. We are rightly proud of the work we do in partnership, in areas including education, health, agriculture and renewable energy.”
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