The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) is intensifying efforts to combat increasing malnutrition rates among children in Malawi, where an ongoing drought has led to severe food shortages. This drought is the most significant to impact southern Africa in decades, affecting not only Malawi but also neighboring countries.
Malawi has been grappling with food insecurity for the last three years, largely due to a series of natural disasters. These include Tropical Storm Ana in 2022 and Tropical Cyclone Freddy in 2023, compounded by the current El Niño phenomenon, which has resulted in extreme drought conditions across the region.
According to WFP reports, the drought has devastated approximately 44% of crops in Malawi, leaving 5.7 million people—over a quarter of the population—without adequate food. The situation has been exacerbated by the effects of climate change, which has further disrupted agricultural production.
One affected individual, Gertrude Chasafali, who typically cultivates a variety of crops, now finds it challenging to secure enough food for her family, often going days with only one meal or none at all. Health professionals are raising alarms about the rising rates of malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable populations, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under five years old.
In Chikwawa district, one of the areas hardest hit by the crisis, nutrition officer Feston Katundu reported that 18% of children are underweight—well above the national average of 13%. Additionally, the prevalence of wasting has increased to 5%, higher than the typical rate of 3%, indicating a growing public health concern. Katundu also noted that 34% of children under five in the district are experiencing stunted growth.
In response to this urgent need, the WFP has initiated supplementary feeding programs for malnourished children and is working to enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Health to address the rising malnutrition cases. Paul Turnbull, WFP country director for Malawi, emphasized the need for additional resources to prevent further deterioration in the health of affected children.
Malawi’s dependence on rain-fed agriculture has been identified as a significant factor contributing to its food insecurity. Charles Kalemba, the commissioner for the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, advocates for a transition to irrigated agriculture as a sustainable solution to mitigate future food shortages.
As the situation unfolds, the WFP, alongside the Malawian government, is delivering emergency food assistance to millions of people impacted by the drought, striving to provide relief and support to those in desperate need.
