World Vision Malawi (WVM) has launched a K300 million El-Nino response campaign targeting 138 community-based child care centers with 5,082 children accessing food in Phalombe and Mulanje districts.

The organization's National Coordinator, Francis Dube, stated that WVM is committed to ensuring children have food through the provision of corn blend flour for porridge.

Dube made these remarks at Chitekesa on Tuesday in Phalombe during the launch of the early childhood center feeding program, which will run for three months and aims to end malnutrition and hunger among children.

He noted that most under-five children are affected by malnutrition due to hunger in some parts of the country.

 "The initiative seeks to bail out children and improve participation of children in child care centers," said Dube.

Acting Director for Child Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Community Development, Justin Hamela, described the initiative as timely, adding that most centers had stopped providing food due to hunger.

Hamela said the launched initiative would greatly assist in reducing absenteeism among children in targeted areas.

Meanwhile, Traditional Authority (TA) Jenala of Phalombe has warned chiefs under his jurisdiction to ensure children are being fed and that those found stealing will be dealt with.

Malawi has 13,000 community-based child care centers, according to the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Community Development.