The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) says it is ready to roll-out the implementation of the 2022/23 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme, targeting food insecure populations as projected by the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC).

This was disclosed on Wednesday in Zomba during a full council meeting.

Addressing the audience DODMA’s Deputy Director of Response, Fyawupi Mwafongo, said the department has already disbursed funds for preparatory activities to five councils prior to the implementation slated for November this year.

Mwafongo said, “The department is prepared and looking forward to a smooth implementation of the programme and has already disbursed funds for preparatory activities to five councils including Zomba District, Zomba City, Chikwawa, Nsanje and Balaka whose beneficiaries will receive assistance for five months, starting from November this year.”

He added that the rest of the councils in the southern region will get assistance for four months whilst beneficiaries in the central and northern regions of the country will be assisted for three months.

He went on to say that the department is using two modalities of cash transfers and in-kind maize distribution to address the food situation and that in the meantime they are meeting with contracted transporters to iron out all logistical hindrances to ensure smooth implementation of the programme.

In his remarks, Zomba City Mayor Davie Maunde commended the department for the early preparations and called for speedy and efficient implementation of the programme.

MVAC projected that 3.8 million people will be food insecure in 27 districts and four cities of the country during the 2022/23 lean season (November 2022 to March 2023).