Norway has pledged $8.3 million to help Malawi tackle a worsening food crisis, with the announcement made during the launch of the 2025/26 lean season response led by the Government of Malawi and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
Speaking at the event, Norwegian Ambassador Anne Sofie Bjelland outlined how the funding will be allocated. Around $4.5 million will support the emergency lean season response, enabling the distribution of nearly 6,000 metric tonnes of maize to more than 520,000 people across Mulanje, Phalombe and Chikwawa. A further $3.8 million will go towards the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.
“School meals are a powerful tool for breaking down the barriers that hold girls back,” said Bjelland.
In his remarks, Commissioner for the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), Wilson Moleni, welcomed the support, saying food distributions were already underway in several districts and would be expanded with WFP’s logistical backing.
“We are deeply grateful for Norway’s continued support. Food distributions have already begun in several districts, and with WFP’s logistical assistance, we will reach more councils in the coming days,” said Moleni.
Commenting on the same, WFP Country Director Hyoung-Joon Lim, said the contribution underscored a joint commitment to the national “Make Malawi Hunger Free” vision.
“Today is a powerful demonstration of solidarity,” he said, adding that the agency would continue working closely with government to ensure assistance reached people efficiently and with dignity.
Also speaking during the ceremony was Deputy Director of School Health, Nutrition and HIV/AIDS, Maureen Maguza Rembo. Shd said the school feeding programme was helping keep children particularly girls in school.
“Dropout rates have significantly gone down, and it’s helping prevent early marriages,” said Maguza. She added that the scheme was also benefitting local farmers who provide food supplies to the schools.
The intervention comes as Malawi faces rising hunger levels. The latest Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) report estimates that more than four million people are food insecure, prompting President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika to declare a national state of disaster.
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