The World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Malawi on Friday (19th March, 2021) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the implementation of the 2020/21 Lean Season Food Insecurity Programme (LS-FIRP), which aims at reaching out to over 2.6 million food-insecure households in 28 districts and four cities of the country.

Speaking in Lilongwe during the signing ceremony, WFP Deputy Country Director Marco Cavarcante said the MOU signifies the collaboration which exists between the Government of Malawi, through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs; and WFP.

In his remarks, DoDMA’s Director of Disaster Response and Recovery Rev. Moses Chimphepo said Malawi Government appreciates technical and financial support WFP commits to various humanitarian programmes in the country.

“Under the 2020/21 lean season response programme, WFP is facilitating the provision of cash transfers in seven districts of the country [Nsanje, Machinga, Zomba, Blantyre City, Neno, Balaka and Dedza], with support from development partners. WFP is also providing logistical support in the provision of relief maize provided by the Malawi Government to food insecure households in Lilongwe, Salima, Chikwawa, Mangochi and Blantyre Districts,” said Chimphepo.

The Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) released a report which indicated that over 2.6 million people in all the 28 districts and four cities will be food insecure between the month of December, 2020 and March, 2021.

Following the report, DoDMA, in collaboration with WFP and other humanitarian partners developed the 2020-21LS-FIRP to mobilize resources and coordinate the response interventions with regard to the food situation.

The Malawi Government provided 37,000 metric tonnes of maize from the Strategic Grain Reserves for the cause