Vice-President Jane Ansah will spearhead the rollout of a major food assistance programme in Mzimba this morning, aimed at supporting communities facing severe hunger during the country’s lean season.
The programme, known as the Lean Season Food Insecurity Response, will officially kick off at Kavitowe Primary School in the jurisdiction of Paramount Chief Mbelwa, according to Richard Mveriwa, spokesperson for the Vice-President’s office.
The launch ceremony, set for 9:30 a.m., is expected to attract government representatives, traditional authorities, development partners, and local residents.
Implemented by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), the initiative is projected to assist approximately four million Malawians at risk of food insecurity between October 2025 and March 2026.
The intervention comes in response to a challenging agricultural season, marked by poor harvests, escalating food prices, and the ongoing impact of adverse weather patterns affecting crop yields nationwide.
In parallel, President Arthur Peter Mutharika has extended the state of disaster declaration across all 28 districts of Malawi, underscoring the urgency of the current food crisis and the need for coordinated humanitarian action.
Authorities indicate that the declaration will facilitate increased mobilisation of both domestic and international support, ensuring that vulnerable households gain access to timely relief.
The Mzimba launch is expected to act as a blueprint for similar interventions nationwide, as government and partners strive to mitigate hunger and safeguard communities during the lean months ahead.
