The government has disclosed that the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) has secured K138.4 billion out of K209.4 billion which was budgeted for the implementation of the Lean Season Response Programme. This translates to a deficit of K71 billion, as at January 28, 2026. The programme is premised on mobilising relief resources for about 4 million households which were projected by a Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (Mvac) report to be at risk of facing severe hunger between October 2025 and March 2026.
“We continue asking local and international development partners to finance the Lean Season Response Programme in order for the programme to reach its target of reaching out to all the people who are facing hunger,” Ntelela said. Ntelela then clarified that the government remained committed to supporting the citizenry by providing the same quantity of maize to the affected families every month, while acknowledging poor harvest due to natural calamities in 2025 as a major factor behind the hunger crisis. Commissioner for Dodma Wilson Moleni said they would continue mobilising resources.
“Dodma will continue distributing a 50-kilogramme bag of maize to people, including those of Luchenza, every month until March 2026,” Molen said. On his part, Luchenza Municipality Member of Parliament Chimwemwe Chipungu called for fairness in the distribution of relief items. Chipungu, who is also Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, presided over the exercise, during which he said over 8,000 people of his constituency have been affected by hunger.
Read Full Article on Times Malawi
[paywall]
In October 2025, President Peter Mutharika declared a State of Disaster in 11 districts across the country. The affected people are being helped during the lean period, which runs from October to March.
[/paywall]
