Malawi mobilises K114.6 Billion for lean season food response
Malawi’s efforts to cushion millions affected by the devastating dry spells have gained momentum, with the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) announcing that K114.6 billion has so far been mobilised for the 2025/26 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme.
This follows President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s declaration of a state of disaster earlier this year, a call that opened the country’s doors to local and international support.
According to a statement released on Thursday, DoDMA is coordinating relief assistance to households hit by prolonged drought, which left many districts facing severe food shortages. The response plan requires K209.4 billion, leaving a funding gap of K94.8 billion.
The report shows that both government-aligned institutions and external humanitarian partners have stepped up.
The World Bank leads the contributions funnelled through government entities, providing K78.8 billion for maize purchases from Zambia.
Local banks including First Capital Bank, Standard Bank, National Bank of Malawi and Press Corporation have jointly contributed more than K1 billion through in-kind maize purchases and cash transfers.
Airtel Malawi and Nyasa Tobacco Company also joined the effort, bringing total donations through government channels to K80.2 billion. Additionally, the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group injected K5.3 billion through an insurance payout supporting maize procurement, logistical costs and cash transfers, pushing the government-aligned total to K85.6 billion.
Other donors channeling support through entities such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and World Vision Malawi have contributed K29 billion.
The United States, Norway, Japan and the United Kingdom feature prominently among the key international partners.
With all contributions combined, resource mobilisation has reached K114.6 billion.
DoDMA has also stressed accountability, noting that the publication excludes donations made directly to individuals or organisations without formal reporting.
All recipients of aid under the programme will be required to publicly account for the resources.
Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs Wilson Moleni expressed gratitude for the growing support, saying the contributions are already strengthening Malawi’s capacity to reach affected communities during the tough months ahead.
The department says it will continue providing updates as more resources come in and relief efforts intensify.
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