The Royal Norwegian Embassy has announced a $8.3-million contribution to support Malawi during lean-season response and Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.
The contribution comes as World Food Programme (WFP) is facing a $72 million funding shortfall on its $96.5 million budget to support 1.9 million people affected by hunger in Malawi.
According to Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) report released in September this year, 4 million people are at risk of hunger in the country.
The shortfall was highlighted today in Lilongwe, during a ceremony where the Royal Norwegian Embassy announced a $8.3-million contribution to support both the lean-season response, and Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.
WFP Malawi Country Director, Dr. Hyoung-Joon Lim, said while Norway’s support brings timely relief, a substantial funding gap remains, partly due to delays in resource mobilization following late release of the MVAC report in October.
Meanwhile, Norwegian Ambassador to Malawi Anne Sofie Bjelland, said Norway’s partnership with the government of Malawi and WFP is focused on ensuring that the most vulnerable households receive assistance during this critical period.
Speaking at the same event, Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, Wilson Moleni, disclosed that the overall food deficit is gradually narrowing as more partners are stepping forward with support.
President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika declared 28 districts
