The Republic of Malawi has received the first shipment of Ukrainian food aid for 2026 under the President of Ukraine’s "Food from Ukraine" humanitarian initiative. The aid is intended to support approximately 600,000 people suffering from acute food insecurity. 

In total, this large-scale humanitarian operation entails the delivery of 5,350 tonnes of Ukrainian food products to Malawi, including yellow split peas and vegetable oil. The project’s implementation was made possible through financial support from the Government of the Republic of Korea and in close cooperation with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Malawi. 

As of September 3, 2026, the first part of the cargo—1,576.3 tonnes of food—has already been delivered to Malawi, with the remainder of the aid expected to arrive in late September and early October. 

The aid arrives at a critical time—just before the season of most acute food shortages, which will last in Malawi from October 2026 to March 2027. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), over 1.9 million of the country's residents are already experiencing crisis levels of food insecurity, and this figure could rise to 2.6 million people in the coming months. 

All delivered food will be distributed by the WFP and the local government directly to the most vulnerable population groups facing the risk of hunger. In total, since the launch of the "Food from Ukraine" humanitarian initiative by the President of Ukraine in November 2022, over 24,500 tonnes of Ukrainian food have been allocated to Malawi (including shipments planned for 2026). This is one of the largest humanitarian missions, providing aid to millions of people. 

This shipment serves as clear evidence that, even while waging a brutal war for its own survival against the Russian aggressor, Ukraine remains a responsible partner, a global donor, and a guarantor of international security. 

Russia continues to systematically and deliberately terrorize Ukrainian port cities, grain terminals, and agricultural logistics infrastructure, attempting to use hunger as a weapon and provoke a global food crisis. 

Ukraine responds by doing the opposite, continuing to produce, export, and direct food to those who need it most. The "Food from Ukraine" initiative represents Ukraine's practical contribution to strengthening global food security and supporting nations and communities hardest hit by hunger and humanitarian crises. 

Ukraine deeply values its strategic partnership with the Republic of Korea—whose financial contribution made this mission possible—as well as the systematic work of the UN World Food Programme.