Attachments
In Numbers
60,000 people (mostly children) have been treated for moderate acute malnutrition since September 2024
58,000 refugees and asylum seekers have been assisted with cash-based transfers
USD 99.7 million six-month net funding requirements (August 2025 to January 2026) representing 82 percent of total requirements
Operational Updates
Preparations for the emergency lean season response: The country’s food insecurity crisis continues to intensify as the lean season (October – March) approaches. According to the latest Agriculture Production Estimates (APES Round 3), Malawi is expected to produce 2.86 million metric tons of maize this year which is over 20 percent below the 5-year average, leaving the country with a significant shortfall of nearly one third of its national maize requirements. Furthermore, repeated climate shocks, high food prices and widespread malnutrition have left people struggling to recover. The Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) report, expected in August, will guide the Government and humanitarian partners on where, when, and how to respond.
Refugees: Refugees and asylum seekers living in Dzaleka are one of the groups most vulnerable to food insecurity in Malawi. With monthly cash transfers from WFP, refugees are able to purchase food to feed their families. Unfortunately, due to funding shortfalls, WFP has only been able to provide transfers to cover 50 percent of the caloric requirements for the past six months. Without additional funding, 58,000 refugees and asylum seekers will have no food from October 2025. WFP is appealing for USD 10.2 million to restore full food rations through to January 2026.
Nutrition: Malnutrition admissions are rising in Malawi. Moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) cases have risen by 83 percent (from 2,086 to 3,816) since July 2024. WFP in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) remains committed to combating acute malnutrition by providing lifesaving Super Cereal Plus (CSB++) to people facing the highest risk, including children aged 6–59 months, pregnant and breastfeeding women and individuals living with HIV and tuberculosis. Since September 2024, WFP has treated over 60,000 people suffering from malnutrition to improve their health and well-being.
School Meals: WFP continues working with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to provide nutritious meals to children through the Home-Grown School Feeding Model. WFP reaches over 800,000 learners in 788 schools and 140 Early Childhood Development Centres across 12 districts. The programme is helping children learn and stay nourished while creating reliable markets for local farmers to grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Livelihoods: WFP in collaboration with partners, distributed 250 kg of biofortified bean seeds in Zomba district to improve nutrition and food security. 312 farmers in 5 Traditional Authorities planted the beans under irrigation, covering 6.25 hectares. To ensure sustainability and expansion, a seedbank model is being used which allows farmers to borrow seed and repay the quantity after harvest.
Food Systems: WFP has supported the training of over 78 Malawi Bureau of Standards staff in testing and certifying agricultural commodities to meet international quality standards. Additionally, WFP in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) are supporting 100 farmers in Zomba district to multiply seeds for sesame, cowpea and sorghum. The goal in strengthening these seed systems is to ensure access to quality, climate-resilient seeds that boost productivity and supports sustainable agriculture.
Health Supply Chain: WFP in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Transport and Public Works conducted the 2025 emergency simulation exercise at Bangula in Nsanje District. The exercise immerses emergency first responders in surprise crisis scenarios, challenging them to respond quickly, coordinate effectively, and protect lives. The goal is to strengthen national readiness to disasters and coordination for supply chains across southern African.
Emergency Preparedness and Response: WFP supported a joint review session between DoDMA, the National Food Reserve Agency and the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation to highlight national efforts during the El-Nino response. This meeting provided a way forward for future emergency coordination relating to the Strategic Grain Reserve maize distributions.
Transport and Logistics Cluster: As co-lead of the transport and logistics cluster, WFP is supporting the Government in transporting maize for the El Niño emergency response expected to end in July. So far, WFP has supported the Government with transportation of 26,017.67 mt of maize.
On demand services: The Government of Malawi and WFP signed an agreement for WFP to procure, import and transport a total of 47,693 mt of maize for the El Niño response. A total of 47,445 mt has been received in country. Due to savings made, procurement of an additional 8,000 mt is underway