Japan has pledged $1.9 million (about K3.3 billion) in food aid to Malawi through the World Food Programme (WFP) to feed 170 000 vulnerable Malawians during the next lean season.
The assistance comes after Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee reported last week that about 2.6 million people in the country are projected to face crisis-level food insecurity between October and March.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lilongwe yesterday, WFP country representative and director Hyoung-Joon Lim said the contribution, equivalent to 300 million Japanese yen, will enable WFP to buy 1 910 metric tonnes (MT) of rice for distribution under Malawi’s national lean-season response.
He said more than 1.9 million people are already facing crisis-level food insecurity, with the number expected to exceed 2.6 million during the lean season.
“The challenges ahead are serious,” Lim said.
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Roza Mbilizi said the 2.6 million estimate does not incorporate the potential effects of El Niño.
“With El Niño, we estimate that almost 6.5 million people to 7 million people are at risk of hunger and various repercussions,” she said.
The minister observed that recurring droughts, floods, cyclones and prolonged dry spells continue to disrupt agricultural production and livelihoods, making early intervention increasingly important.
She said government was strengthening irrigation, climate-smart agriculture, drought-resistant crops, early-warning systems and disaster preparedness to reduce vulnerability.
Japanese Ambassador Naito Yasushi said the latest contribution was intended to address immediate food requirements while strengthening the country’s resilience to climate shocks.
“Japan stands with the people of Malawi during this challenging period,” he said.
Yasushi said the latest package follows earlier Japanese interventions this year, including 1 300MT of maize distributed in March and another 1 900MT of rice handed over to WFP in June.
The new rice consignment is expected to arrive later this year in time for the lean season.
The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis shows that more than 1.9 million people are currently in IPC Phase 3, or crisis, while early climate forecasts indicate an increased likelihood of strong El Niño conditions during the November-to-April rainy season.
Japan has provided more than $185 million towards WFP’s development and humanitarian operations in Malawi since 2013, according to a joint statement issued by WFP, Japan and the Malawi Government.
