In an urgent response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Mara, FDH Bank has donated K50 million worth of maize flour to flood-affected families in the southern districts of Chikwawa and Nsanje, channelled through the Beautify Malawi (BEAM) Trust.

At least 47,000 households across both districts were displaced or severely impacted by the flooding, which struck in late February 2026 after Cyclone Mara made landfall. The Shire River valley experienced water levels not seen since Cyclone Freddy in 2023, submerging crops, destroying granaries, and cutting off road access to dozens of villages.

"When our communities suffer, FDH Bank does not stand on the sidelines. Food security is the most immediate need, and we are grateful to partner with BEAM Trust to ensure these families are not forgotten."

— Group Chief Executive Officer, FDH Bank Malawi

On the Ground: Distribution Begins

The first convoy of relief trucks departed Blantyre on March 12, carrying 60 metric tonnes of fortified maize flour — enough to provide a 30-day ration for approximately 12,000 households. A second convoy followed three days later targeting the most remote villages in Nsanje's Lower Shire area, where road conditions had only just been restored.

BEAM Trust volunteers worked alongside village headmen, DoDMA officers, and the Malawi Red Cross to ensure equitable distribution. Each household was registered using a digital voucher system, reducing duplication and allowing real-time beneficiary tracking. Households with pregnant women, children under five, or elderly members were prioritised for first allocation.

Relief Package Contents Per Household

  • 25 kg bag of fortified maize flour
  • 5 litres of cooking oil
  • 2 kg of dried legumes (beans or pigeon peas)
  • Hygiene kit: soap, oral rehydration salts, water purification tablets
  • Community helpline card with DoDMA and BEAM Trust contacts

The Human Impact

In Chikwawa's Makhanga area, the flooding was particularly severe. Many families lost not only their homes but their entire harvest — the result of months of labour now washed away. Mary Banda, a mother of four from Makhanga, described what the relief meant to her family:

"We had nothing left. Not even a grain of maize. When the BEAM Trust truck arrived, I cried — not from sadness but from relief. My children will eat tonight."

— Mary Banda, Makhanga Village, Chikwawa

Agricultural experts estimate that affected areas lost between 70% and 85% of their anticipated 2025/26 yield, making external food assistance critical for the next three to six months.

Recovery and Reconstruction

Beyond immediate food relief, BEAM Trust has committed to a medium-term recovery programme in partnership with FDH Bank — including replacement seed packs and fertiliser for the next planting season, rehabilitation of three damaged primary school structures in Nsanje, and psychosocial support for affected children.

FDH Bank has also activated a flood relief savings account, allowing members of the public and corporate donors to contribute directly. All proceeds will be managed and disbursed through BEAM Trust's verified beneficiary register.