Vice President Dr Ansah launches lean season food support in Mzimba

By Chisomo Sezi

The Vice President Dr Jane Ansah has said Government is committed to ensuring that no Malawian dies of hunger despite the country continue to face effects of climate change, economic hardship and rising food price.

Ansah handover a bag of maize to an elderly woman PIC Chisomo Sezi

Dr Ansah made the remarks when she launched the 2025/26 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme for the Northern Region at Kavitowo Primary School in Mzimba.

Ansah said President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is committed to ensure no Malawian dies of hunger despite the country facing challenges.

The Vice President asked the councils to prioritise child-headed households, persons with albinism, the elderly and persons with disabilities.

She also warned beneficiaries against selling the relief maize and instructed local leaders and community policing units to arrest those who do so.

“Government will make sure that all beneficiaries receive their food support. We do not want anyone to die of hunger,” she said.

She said that Malawi declared a State of Disaster, requiring K209.4 billion for the rainy-season response, but only K62 billion has been mobilised, leaving a K147 billion deficit.

World Food Program Country Director Hyoung-Joon Lim reaffirmed the organisation’s support towards Malawi’s efforts to end hunger.

Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V thanked government describing the maize distribution as a “precious relief” for families in Mzimba and asked for strict police enforcement.

Commissioner Wilson Moleni of DoDMA said the 2024 Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Report, showing that 4 million Malawians are food insecure.

He said beneficiaries will receive either a 50 kg bag of maize or K90,000 cash assistance from October to March 2026.

One of the beneficiaries, Memory Mvula, thanked the government under President Mutharika for continuing to support vulnerable households.