Japan commits USD1.9 million to tackle Malawi’s food crisis

Japan has provided USD1.9 million in food assistance to Malawi to help vulnerable communities through the coming lean season and prepare for the anticipated impacts of El Niño, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said.

The contribution, worth 300 million Japanese yen, will finance the purchase of 1,910 metric tonnes of rice to support about 170,000 people, WFP said.

The assistance comes as Malawi faces worsening food insecurity. More than 1.9 million people are already experiencing food shortages, with that number projected to rise to more than 2.6 million between October and March, according to WFP.

“Behind every number is a human being. A mother. A father. A child. A family hoping to make it through another difficult season,” WFP Representative and Country Director Hyoung-Joon Lim said at a signing ceremony in Lilongwe on Wednesday.

Lim said the rice would help vulnerable households meet their food needs during the lean season, while thanking Japan for its continued support and Malawi’s government for working with WFP to deliver humanitarian assistance.

Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Minister Roza Mbilizi said the aid was timely as Malawi contends with droughts, floods, cyclones and prolonged dry spells that have disrupted agricultural production and livelihoods.

The government is expanding climate-smart agriculture, irrigation, drought-tolerant crops, early warning systems and disaster preparedness as it prepares for anticipated El Niño conditions, Mbilizi said.

She said the rice would be procured and pre-positioned in warehouses before food needs intensify.

“Preparedness is not simply about responding to crises, it is about anticipating risks and acting before they become disasters,” Mbilizi said.

Japan’s Ambassador to Malawi Naito Yasushi said the assistance reflected Tokyo’s commitment to tackling food insecurity and strengthening communities’ resilience to climate-related shocks.

Japan has provided similar food assistance to Malawi in recent months. In March, 1,300 metric tonnes of maize purchased through USD1.9 million in Japanese aid were distributed in Blantyre, while a further 1,900 metric tonnes of rice funded by another USD1.9 million contribution were distributed in June.

Yasushi said Japan would continue working with Malawi, WFP and other food assistance partners to strengthen food security and build more resilient communities.

The latest Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee report projects that 2.6 million people will face food insecurity during the 2026-2027 lean season. More than 6 million people are also expected to be affected by El Niño weather patterns, according to the report.