…Central-region-based councils, humanitarian

partners converge for lean season response after action review

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has called on councils, various humanitarian and donor partners to support investments in resilient food systems if the country were to break the food insecurity cycle.

Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs Rev. Moses Owen Chimphepo made the call on Thursday (17th July, 2025) in Lilongwe when he officially opened the 2024-25 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme (LS-FIRP) After Action Review (AAR) which was held to reflect on successes, experiences and challenges that would improve subsequent programmes.

“It is high time we moved away from depending on rain-fed agriculture. I therefore, call upon all partners to support vulnerable households with interventions that will ensure their food security from their own production. This will also cushion thousands of vulnerable households from climatic shocks and save, significantly, huge amounts of resources that government and partners spend on consumption,” said Chimphepo.

World Food Programme’s (WFP) Deputy Country Director Simon Denhere echoed Chimphepo’s remarks; stressing the need for partners to join hands in building a more self-sustainable and better-prepared future for the most vulnerable households and communities.

The one-day meeting, which has drawn together councils from the central region and various disaster clusters (sector working groups) has been held with support from WFP.