Vice President Jane Ansah stressed that the government will not permit hunger to claim lives in Malawi.
Speaking on Friday at Kavitowe Primary School grounds in Mzimba during the launch of the 2025/26 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme for the Northern Region, she acknowledged that hunger, rising living costs, drought, and economic hardship are devastating many households.
“Just weeks into this administration, Professor Mutharika’s leadership acted on hunger, recognizing the widespread devastation,” she said. “The government does not want any Malawian to die of hunger; hence the maize distribution.” Ansah urged that all Malawians facing food shortages be registered for maize under the programme and asked district councils to prioritize vulnerable groups, including child-headed households, people with albinism, and the elderly.
She also appealed to development partners to support DoDMA, noting a funding shortfall of K147 billion to adequately assist all affected households; the government has raised only K62 billion to date.
Ansah warned vendors who buy maize from beneficiaries that they will face the full force of the law.
In Mzimba District 23, 150 households (about 104,000 people) are expected to benefit from maize. Some beneficiaries will receive maize, while others will obtain K90,000 in cash assistance.
