The Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) has warned that delays in releasing this year’s Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) report are worsening the hunger crisis and frustrating response efforts by government and humanitarian stakeholders.

The Department of Economic Planning had earlier indicated that the report would be out by the end of August, but its release has stalled even as maize prices soar to around K80,000 in most parts of the country.

CfSC Project Officer, Kondwani Hara, told Zodiak on Sunday that the delay is crippling response mechanisms.

“The delayed MVAC report is frustrating the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) and other humanitarian partners from activating timely hunger responses,” Hara said.

He further warned that the food crisis is deepening, particularly in the south.

“The delay is worsening the crisis and contributing to rising malnutrition levels among children in the southern region,” he said.

Hara has since urged authorities to act swiftly.

“We are calling for the immediate release of maize onto the market to stabilize prices—especially in the southern region—and for an expansion of the Social Cash Transfer programme to cushion more vulnerable households,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of stocking ADMARC depots with maize while awaiting the official MVAC findings.

When contacted, Department of Economic Planning spokesperson Allan Jere referred Zodiak to the Treasury, which is currently facilitating the report. Officials there were not immediately available for comment.

The 2024/2025 MVAC report projected that over 5.7 million Malawians face hunger due to climatic shocks that affected crop yields. Meanwhile, reports show that the World Bank has released about $57.6 million for relief aid, but the funds remain on hold pending the release of the report.