The Government of Japan has committed JPY 300 million (approximately US$2.06 million, K3.7 Billion) to support food assistance for vulnerable communities in Malawi during the 2025/26 lean season.
The donation, channelled through the World Food Programme (WFP), will enable the procurement, transportation, and distribution of 1,970 metric tons of maize to over 177,000 people facing food shortages in the period between harvests when household stocks run low.
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) says the contribution will play a critical role in the implementation of the 2025/26 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme (LS-FIRP), which is informed by findings from the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC).
According to DoDMA, the gesture supports emergency response efforts and strengthens collaboration towards breaking the food insecurity cycle while building resilience in vulnerable communities.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lilongwe, the Ambassador of Japan to Malawi, His Excellency Yoichi Oya, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to working with Malawi in addressing humanitarian needs.
The event was also attended by the Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, Rev. Moses Owen Chimphepo and WFP Malawi Country Representative and Director, Dr. Hyoung-Joon Lim, who lauded the partnership as a lifeline for many people.
The lean season, expected to run from late 2025 into early 2026, remains one of the most critical periods for food security in Malawi, particularly for rural households dependent on rain-fed agriculture.
