Malawi President Arthur Peter Mutharika declared a state of national disaster. The declaration covers eleven districts facing severe food shortages caused by prolonged dry spells across the southeastern African nation.
Chief Secretary Justin Saidi said the president expressed “grave concern” over the cumulative impacts of extended drought on food security. A recent report from the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee estimates about four million people risk acute food shortages this year and early next.
Saidi urged both local and international communities to provide urgent assistance to families struggling with the escalating food crisis. “The number of people affected by the dry spells is very large. Let’s help these communities as soon as possible,” he stated.
The impacted districts are distributed across Malawi’s four administrative regions, highlighting the widespread nature of the current food insecurity. Malawi has endured repeated El Niño-induced weather events over the past five years, straining agricultural productivity and national food reserves.
Authorities warn that without prompt intervention, the humanitarian situation could deteriorate further, threatening millions of vulnerable households across the country. President Mutharika’s declaration seeks to mobilise immediate support and strengthen coordination of relief efforts to mitigate the unfolding disaster.