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EU delegation on hunger assessment mission in Malawi

Xinhua, November 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

An EU delegation led by Commissioner responsible for humanitarian aid and crisis management, Christos Stylandes, is in Malawi on a two-day visit to assess the hunger situation facing the country.

The delegation met President Peter Mutharika in Malawi capital, Lilongwe, on Friday to outline the purpose of the visit and Commissioner Stylandes pledged the Union's continued support to Malawi, particularly in the area of agriculture, and other social needs.

Stylandes said during the two days his delegation would visit some EU-funded programs in the country to hear from the people how they had been affected by the hunger that resulted from floods and drought in most parts of the country for the past two growing seasons.

He said the visit and interaction with the affected people would give him and the delegation an opportunity to appreciate the situation on the ground and see how best to intervene.

President Mutharika commended the EU for their support in development and humanitarian aid which he said was highly appreciated by his government and the people of Malawi.

The Malawi leader described EU as one of the biggest partners Malawi had ever had since 1975 and that the southern African developing country had benefited a lot from the partnership.

"As of now the EU is helping the country with humanitarian aid benefiting the 6.7 million people who have been affected by hunger and drought due to climate change," said Mutharika adding that the affected population was the biggest number the country had ever had.

He said every year Malawi government was rolling out programs aimed at boosting irrigation sector to end the hunger situation in the country.

Mutharika further urged European countries, development partners and the private sector to take advantage of investment forums the country organized and to invest in the areas of agriculture, education and tourism among others.

The president said his government was committed to working with the EU in the areas of development and governance to ensure political and economic stability.

The EU is among several developing partners and countries that have responded to President Mutharika's appeal for humanitarian support in the wake of the disaster that has hit the agriculture sector most. Endit