The Ministry of Education and the World Food Programme are expanding the Home-Grown School Meals Program to combat childhood malnutrition, according to SDGTalking. The $34 million initiative will provide meals to 1.4 million children across all 28 districts, an increase from the 950,000 students enrolled in the program in 2023. To support rural economies and community health, the policy mandates that at least 60 percent of the staple foods be purchased directly from local smallholder farmers.
Update: As Parliament continues to address the national mental health crisis, Minister of Agriculture Roza Fatchi Mbilizi warned lawmakers about the psychological dangers of social media. Nyasa Times reports that Mbilizi, speaking during a debate on a recent Ministry of Health report, stated that unregulated algorithms and cyberbullying expose young Malawians to material promoting self-harm and suicidal thoughts. She criticized major technology platforms for failing to shield teenagers from harmful online content.
Update: The health and humanitarian crisis involving Malawians fleeing anti-migrant violence in South Africa has worsened, with disaster management officials confirming that over 38,000 citizens have been repatriated. AFP reports that at least six returnees died during the transit process. In Pretoria, aid organizations have accused the Malawi High Commission of neglecting the medical and basic needs of victims. According to Nyasa Times, aid workers allege that displaced Malawians are sheltering in a concrete basement without proper food, bedding, or sanitation facilities.