On 3rd February 2026, the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, in cooperation with the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Ministry, launched a large-scale humanitarian campaign. During the campaign, 2.9 million roubles were raised via mirom.help website to help starving people in Malawi.
The funds were used to buy 46 tons of foodstuffs, including cornflour, soya, salt and vegetable oil. The foodstuffs are being distributed at parishes in various parts of the country. The campaign will conclude on 19th February. Humanitarian aid will be delivered to 2,700 families in need.
From 3rd to 11th February, Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa, Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, visited Malawi. From 6th to 10th February, the hierarch visited seven parishes in different cities, towns and villages, distributing foodstuffs among the needy. He also blessed two wells for drinking water drilled with financial support from Russian benefactors. During his visit, Metropolitan Konstantin was accompanied by Priest George Maximov, Chairman of the Exarchate’s Missionary Department, and his personal secretary, Reader V.V. Dendyuk.
Taking part in the humanitarian mission was Priest Dionisy Grishkov, Chairman of the Missionary Department of the Diocese of the City of Moscow. From 4th to 7th February, Father Dionisy visited twenty parishes. During that time, together with Priest Joachim Bakali, Dean of the Malawi Church District, he was buying foodstuffs and delivering them to the needy.
Humanitarian aid was distributed in many parishes of the deanery, which the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa visited personally.
· In the Anthony the Great Parish, the aid was provided to 275 families;
· In the Parish of the Holy Prince Vladimir, Equal-to-the-Apostles, to 300 families;
· In the Parish of St. Cyril, Equal-to-the-Apostles, to 480 families.
For the rest of the campaign, foodstuffs will be distributed by clerics of the Diocese of Southern Africa in Malawi, led by Rev. Joachim Bakali.
Thus, through its humanitarian mission, the Russian Orthodox Church reached out to all 34 parishes in the country.
Patriarchal exarchate of Africa
Translation: DECR Communication service
