So far, WFP has installed 22 Mobile Storage Units (MSUs) in ten districts of the country.

Speaking after inspecting some of the MSUs at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre on Wednesday, December 16 2020, WFP Deputy Country Director, Marco Cavalcante, said that the interventions are vital amid COVID-19 second wave scare.

“It is very important to continue keep the guard up. As you said, the cases are going up in western world in the second wave, it is possible that it will come back here.

“This is why these kind of structures are very important to remind people that washing hands, social distancing and temperature check are key elements to prevent a second wave from exploding,” he said.

Representative from the Iceland embassy in Malawi, Inga Dora Petursdottir, said that it is important to be always prepared for the pandemic.

She said the MSUs are very important for temperature check of the airport users coming in and outside the country.

She said that “countries are not ready for the pandemic. It is, therefore, important to keep observing COVID-19 preventive measures that are recommended by the World Health Organization.”

Airport Acting Commandant, Brian Mussa, said the structures are a boost to their operations in preventing further spread of COVID-19.

“It is not only helpful in fighting COVID-19, it is also shelter in times of rains and scorching sun,’ he said.

The $195, 000 Iceland support to WFP also facilitates transporting and prepositioning relief items (food and non-food items) in remote and food insecure areas.

It is also assisting the government of Malawi with requisite disaster risk reduction skills and tools for enhanced disaster resilience and emergency operations.