By Suleman Chitera
The State of Qatar has stepped forward in a powerful show of solidarity, pledging humanitarian assistance to the Government of Malawi following an urgent appeal for support amid the country’s worsening food crisis.
The commitment was announced by Lulwah Bint Rashid Al Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during high-level talks with Malawi’s Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation, Joseph Mathyola Mwanamvekha, held in Qatar on Monday.
During the discussions, Mwanamvekha—who is also Malawi’s Special Envoy to the Gulf Nations—painted a stark picture of the humanitarian challenge facing the country. Prolonged dry spells have triggered severe food shortages, leaving about four million Malawians in urgent need of assistance. The gravity of the situation compelled Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi, to declare a State of National Disaster.
Mwanamvekha was accompanied by Malawi’s Ambassador to Qatar, Roy Akajuwe Kachale, underscoring the diplomatic weight of the engagement. Beyond the humanitarian pledge, the visit is expected to yield broader gains, with Mwanamvekha scheduled to hold a series of meetings aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation between Malawi and Qatar.
The pledge from Qatar not only brings hope to millions of vulnerable Malawians but also reinforces the growing partnership between the two nations—one anchored in compassion, cooperation, and shared commitment to human dignity.
