In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, the writer tells of a vision he experienced. In the vision, he saw God and He was calling for someone to represent Him with a message for the people. Isaiah records the request and his own response. That response has become a clarion call to God’s people to answer the call of God to serve. Isaiah records the question and his response:
Whom shall I send and who will go for us?
Then I said, “Here am I. Send me.” — Isaiah 6:8
A recent food security assessment by the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) under the Ministry of Finance has revealed that 4,009,537 Malawians—representing about 22 percent of the national population—will be unable to meet their food requirements during the lean season (October 2025 – March 2026). The report was released on 12 October 2025 by Ministry of Finance.
The government estimates the affected population will require 200,000 metric tonnes of maize, valued at approximately MWK 387.20 billion, as humanitarian food assistance, as reported by local Malawian news
Reports indicate the situation is already reached a crisis in some areas as desperate families have started eating wild plants resembling cassava, which in some cases has turned out to be poisonous. Many households have already run out of food, while others have only small quantities left—insufficient to sustain them for the coming months.
At the same time, the price of maize, Malawi’s staple food, continues to rise sharply, increasing the fears that more families will struggle to survive during the approaching hunger season.
The main cause of this crisis is a changing climate. It has resulted in prolonged droughts and inconsistent rainfall patterns. While some farmers have had access to subsidized farm inputs through government programs, poor rainfall has led to disappointing harvests. Others, unable to afford seeds and fertilizers, have been left with empty fields.
As the farming season begins, many households face a painful dilemma: that of choosing between right and right, that is, choosing between purchasing farm inputs to prepare for the future or buying food to feed their families today. Either way, starvation that will come from food shortages seems very difficult to avoid.
Admitting the dangers and threats at hand, the Government has appealed to all supporters to join hands in helping the affected families. The estimated 200,000 metric tonnes of maize is a huge task for the government alone. Even the smallest contributions that you can make will be a meaningful difference—helping one family, one community, at a time.
Action for Progress (AfP) continues its commitment to serve Malawians in need. Through its Agriculture and food security programs and its humanitarian outreach, AfP works to empower farmers and fight hunger across the nation. Now with the hunger situation at hand, eyes are on Action for Progress, and the question is coming will Action for Progress rescue us from this danger just as they have been doing in the past?
With the help of Malawi Project and their supporting partners, Action for Progress has a plan in place for the way distribution will be done. But the question remains, how many will we reach of the 4.1 million affected families? We pray for assistance so Action for Progress can reach many people with food aid and alleviate the suffering.
Whom shall I send and who will go for us?
Then I said, “Here am I. Send me.” — Isaiah 6:8
Financial contributions can be sent to Malawi Project, 2421 Golfside Drive, Lebanon, IN 46052 or electronically at: https://www.malawiproject.org/donate/