Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
19 April 2024 | 16:38 CAT

Malawi declares state of disaster following drought wrought by El Niño // Image: Africanews

Malawi is facing its worst food crisis in a decade, with two million people urgently needing life-saving food assistance due to drought exacerbated by El Niño.

The situation has been compounded by tropical storms and cyclones in recent years, pushing up to 40 per cent of the population into hunger. Maize prices have doubled, and staple crop production has sharply declined, affecting millions who rely on agriculture for basic needs. 

The World Food Programme (WFP) is appealing for urgent resources to provide emergency food assistance and pre-position supplies before the lean season.

“The growing season normally runs between October and March, we were struck by a severe dry spell which has had a serious effect on the maize crop,” WFP Country Director and Representative in Malawi, Paul Turnbull, told Radio Islam International. 

According to Turnbull, the country still suffers from the impacts of tropical storms and cyclones in 2022 and 2023. The compounded effect is pushing up to 40 per cent of Malawi’s population into hunger, threatening both lives and livelihoods.

As national maize stocks run low, the country has been forced to import staple commodities, increasing food prices. Maize prices nearly doubled in just one year and tripled against the five-year average. 

Meanwhile, Turnbull explains how the WFP assesses and prioritizes the needs of vulnerable populations, such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly, in its response to the food crisis in Malawi. 

According to Turnbull, the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee, of which WFP is a member, will conduct an assessment in May, which will be completed by mid-June. 

“This helps identify the people that are acutely food insecure. These are the people who need food assistance during the lean season,” says Turnbull. 

Following the assessment, Turnbull said the WFP will work with the district councils and NGOs to ensure that the Vulnerable populations are registered and that food or cash transfers reach them. 

WFP will cover part of the food assistance requirements and needs US$ 70 million to provide emergency food assistance to two million people for three months, delivering a combination of in-kind and cash to affected households. Given the long lead times to procure food to address dire humanitarian needs, WFP aims to pre-position supplies by October to mitigate the impact of the coming lean season.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Moulana Shuayb Lasanya and WFP Country Director and Representative in Malawi, Paul Turnbull.