By Temwa Tembo

President Peter Mutharika has extended the declaration of a State of Disaster across several districts in Malawi due to the worsening effects of prolonged dry spells, which have triggered widespread food insecurity.

A statement signed by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr. Justin Adack Saidi, says the extension has been made under Section 37 (1) of the Disaster Risk Management Act (2023) and will remain in effect from October 2025 to March 2026.

The declaration covers districts across all regions, including Nsanje, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Thyolo, Mulanje, Phalombe, Chiradzulu, Mwanza, Neno, Balaka, Machinga, Zomba, Zomba City, Mangochi, Ntcheu, Dedza, Lilongwe, Lilongwe City, Mchinji, Dowa, Kasungu, Nkhotakota, Salima, Mzimba, Mzuzu City, Nkhata Bay, Rumphi, Karonga, Chitipa, and Likoma.

The government says it is mobilising humanitarian assistance to all affected areas while intensifying irrigation farming initiatives to boost food production and reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture.