AFRICA/MALAWI - Increase in the cost of living: for the "Justice and Peace" Commission, it is urgent "to listen to the cry of the people"

Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides) - It is urgent to listen to "the cry of the people" on the increase in the cost of living and growing poverty: this is the appeal made by the "Justice and Peace" Commission, within the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malawi, to the government of Malawi. In a statement, signed by the national coordinator of the Commission, the lay Catholic Boniface Chibwana, entitled "Listen to the cry of the people; the call of Moses", deep concern is expressed about a number of issues that include the critical socio-economic situation of the country, "which leaves many poor people hopeless and troubled" and which, if not addressed, will cause the loss of public trust in the government.
"The existence of social injustices perpetrated, tolerated or neglected by those who govern is an insult to the foundations of the Christian faith. The impossibility of the majority of Malawians to satisfy basic needs is against the social and economic development of our society; it is a real threat to holiness and to the essence of human life. God expects any leadership to do everything possible to promote social justice for the people, for their creatures. When there is serious injustice in a society, there is serious violence against the rights and dignity of people", reads the text sent to Fides.
In particular, the Commission notes that "the rising cost of living in the country is a threat to the fundamental human rights". The statement reads: "We acknowledge that the situation could be the result of global economic phenomena that have negatively affected the national macroeconomic environment. Despite this, the government is obliged to mitigate and protect the poor from such socio-economic shocks. With very high poverty levels in Malawi, the current rise in the cost of living has the potential to further throw many families into extreme poverty. It is regrettable that the prevailing social protection mechanisms do not fully include marginalized groups such as people with disabilities, the elderly and the poor in urban areas".
While appreciating the government's efforts in the public health sector, the Bishops' Commission notes that "the shortage of drugs in public health facilities is a potential death trap because most Malawians rely on the heavily indebted public health system".
It is also asked to "de-politicize the programs that affect food security in Malawi", as they serve for the livelihood of many, and therefore must be implemented and properly supported, with a view to social protection. In this context, there is concern about the delays in the supply of maize and agricultural products and the poor accessibility of seeds to most farmers, especially those in hard-to-reach areas and remote areas. Another critical sector - it is noted - is that of fuel supply "which involves a potential search for profits and corruption", and in which criteria of "transparency and responsibility" must be applied.
In conclusion, the Commission notes that the government was elected "because its electoral promises have given most Malawians hope of being pulled out of dehumanizing levels of poverty", but now that hope for many is still a long way off. "Citizens do not even know where the country is going. The recent street demonstrations are an expression of people's desperation, the feeling of having been betrayed and anger prevails. The bishops urge the executive to establish "inclusive and transparent social protection mechanisms to protect the poor from socio-economic difficulties, to relieve them of the daily deterioration of living conditions". And they ask urgently to address "the growing frustration and loss of hope of citizens". (DB) (Agenzia Fides, 16/12/2021)

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