As hunger knocks daily on doors across Malawi, leaving many families living one uncertain meal at a time, the Muslim Disaster Relief Aid (MaDRA) has stepped in to cushion vulnerable households, having already fed more than 40,000 people in five districts.
Malawi is facing a severe food security crisis, with over four million people at risk of hunger during the 2025/26 Lean Season.
In response to His Excellency the President’s appeal, MaDRA rolled out its 2025/26 relief initiative, targeting to utilise MWK1 billion in food assistance.
Since December 2025, MaDRA has distributed 7,000 Food and seed Relief Packs valued at over K500 million, reaching 1,000 families in Thyolo, 1,000 in Mulanje, 1,000 in Machinga, 2,000 in Chikwawa and on Sunday, 25 January, it brought relief to 2000 households in Ntcheu district.
Painting a picture of the dire hunger situation in Ntcheu, 86-year-old Froness Lazalo of Mukuwa Village in the area of Traditional Authority Makwangwala said survival had become a daily struggle.
86-year-old Lazalo
“At my age I should be resting, but hunger forced me to look for piece work,” said Lazalo. “Some days I would return home with nothing. Am so thankful to the organization.”
Speaking after the distribution exercise in Ntcheu, MaDRA representative Ibrahim Mataya said the organisation’s response remains ongoing as communities across the country continue to feel the effects of the economic downturn.
“Close to 40,000 people in Malawi have benefited through Muslim Disaster Relief Aid,” said Mataya.
“Malawi is in an economic crisis, people are suffering on the ground. Today you see us here, tomorrow you may see us in another location. We intend to reach as many Malawians as we can throughout the whole Malawi.”
Deputy Minister of Homeland Security, Norman Chisale, urged beneficiaries to use the items received for their intended purpose and not to sell them, stressing that the assistance is meant to help households survive the harsh lean period.
In a rare gesture of appreciation, Chisale knelt down before his constituent to thank MaDRA and its partners for standing with Malawians during a time of deep hardship.
