WFP cuts planned food aid in Malawi by 33.3%
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Times
The World Food Programme is reducing from 600,000 to 400,000 the number of people targeted for assistance during the 2026-2027 lean season in Malawi, a cut of 33.3%. The organisation reports a funding shortfall of $142.3 million and is focusing its response on three districts from October 2026 to March 2027, according to its October report.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has reduced by 33.3% the number of people targeted for assistance during the 2026-2027 lean season in Malawi, from 600,000 to 400,000, because of a lack of funding. The reduction is set out in the WFP’s Malawi situation report published in October 2026.
The WFP estimates that the 200,000 people removed from the plan risk going without assistance between October 2026 and March 2027. The funding shortfall for its operations in Malawi stands at $142.3 million, including $17 million specifically needed for the lean-season response.
The lack of funds has also reduced the number of districts covered from four to three: Chikwawa, Nsanje and Phalombe. It threatens the continuity of emergency food assistance, nutrition support, school meals and refugee assistance, according to the WFP.
Innocent Pangapanga Phiri, director of Malawi’s Centre for Agricultural Research and Development, warned that the reduction could worsen food insecurity and prompt households to reduce the number of meals they eat. He called on the authorities and their partners to monitor maize prices, improve market information and facilitate the movement of food from surplus areas to those facing shortages.
