Durban NGO offers relief to drought-stricken Malawians
A local disaster relief organisation has traveled to drought-stricken Malawi to distribute much-needed food.
The severe drought gripping southern Africa has seen a state of emergency declared in Malawi - with the country in the throes of chronic food shortages.
Durban-based City Hope Disaster Relief is there to distribute about 17 tonnes of food aid which was transported by truck from here.
City Hope is working with a Malawian organisation that trains and equips local communities with subsistence farming skills.
Speaking from the commercial capital Blantyre, City Hope's Ockie Van Heerden - who is part of the five-member team - says the situation is dire.
"We'll be assisting the distribution in three specific - in rural areas surrounding Blantyre. It's part of the food distribution plan, and this food will tie the families over until the first crops are harvested," he said.
Read more on the Malawi relief mission here.