Abstract

Malawi has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Southern Africa and the world, with the prevalence rate of between 12-14%. It is among countries with the highest prevalence in Southern Africa with other countries like Mozambique having the prevalence of 16.1%, South Africa 18.8% and Zimbabwe 20.1% as of 2005 (UNAIDS, 2006). Since 1990s, the Government of Malawi (GoM) has put in place programs aimed at reducing the spread of the pandemic, treating those infected and helping the affected individuals, families and communities to regain their potential. The civil society which includes the Community Based Organisations (CBOs) has also joined government in this endeavor. The study was aimed at exploring the roles the CBOs are playing in enhancing the food security of the HIV and AIDS affected households. This research used both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection for purposes of triangulation. The quantitative data was collected by the use of questionnaires and these were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 12.0. These were administered in 81 households that were chosen randomly. The qualitative data was obtained using key informant interviews (KII) and focus group discussions (FGDs). The results show that the CBOs in Zomba are running a number of activities in order to help the affected households. However, the households that are benefiting from the CBOs activities are still facing food problems. On average food from own production lasts for about 5 months. Comparing the CBOs though, it was also found that the CBOs that had funding from government and other organisations (external help) had a lot of beneficiaries. These CBOs also had higher asset-livestock portfolio. Thus the households in these CBOs had at least something that could be sold and use the money for food as compared to those that had no external help. The study also found that there was higher proportion of households that eat three meals a day as well as that consume fruits from the households belonging to CBOs that received external support. Male-headed households also had higher ownership of both livestock and assets. Thus it is concluded that the households from the CBOs that received external support are better off than those from the CBOs that did not receive external support. It is therefore important that the government and donor agencies should strengthen the activities that are done by the CBOs in Zomba by making funds available to them. However, proper monitoring mechanisms be put in place to make sure that the intended beneficiaries are reached. The CBOs should also be encouraged to do income generating activities (IGAs).

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School	: School of Law, Economics and Government
Issued Date	: 2011

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