A total of 47,075 children are expected to benefit from an emergency Vitameal distribution initiative aimed at supporting Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in the Lower Shire with fortified porridge.

Speaking during the launch of the initiative in Lilongwe on Monday, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Mary Navicha said the programme—implemented by Feed the Children in collaboration with her ministry—forms part of the Malawi Government’s broader efforts to address food insecurity.

“This initiative forms part of the Malawi Government’s broader response to food insecurity, and it will help improve children’s nutrition status,” said Navicha.

She noted that attendance at ECD centres has been declining due to the hunger the country is experiencing, adding that the fortified porridge will promote healthy growth and development among vulnerable children, encouraging them to remain in ECD centres.

Feed the Children Country Representative McHenry Makwelero said the initiative comes at a crucial time, as the country continues to face widespread hunger.

“This initiative will help to reduce malnutrition during this period and encourage more children to return to ECDs, as numbers always drop during hunger,” said Makwelero.

He added that the programme is expected to help children access early childhood development services in a dignified manner while strengthening their cognitive development. Apart from nutritional support, children will continue to benefit from literacy and numeracy training provided at ECD centres.

“When there is hunger, the ones who suffer most are women and children. Children become malnourished, so this initiative will help them a lot,” he said.

Makwelero further disclosed that Feed the Children has already dispatched 188 tonnes of Vitameal and remains committed to supporting vulnerable children.

President Peter Mutharika recently declared all 28 districts in Malawi as vulnerable to hunger following poor harvests.