Bambe said this Tuesday when Gender minister, Mary Navicha, launched the lean season cash support program, as one way of responding to the problem. “My office is overwhelmed with outcries for relief food despite several government and stakeholders efforts, which are reaching out a small fraction,” said Bambe. He says the situation is getting out of hand as the relief food government and other stakeholders are bringing to a few households is igniting more scramble and misunderstandings. One lean season cash support program beneficiary, Marita Malizani, says the initiative has helped her dodge the wrath of hunger when she compares her situation to that of others outside the program. “I am grateful. This will bail us out of the lean season that has left many households food insecure,” said Malizani. “About 22 thousand households are already benefiting in Balaka alone and we plan to reach about 30 thousand before the end of the lean season with social cash support,” said Navicha. Malawi is implementing the program with support from the governments of Ireland, German and Unicef. Recent Malawi vulnerability assessment report ranked Balaka second worst hunger stricken district after Dedza. A household under lean season top up social cash support gets 23,400 Malawi kwacha each month to assist build resilience and provide avenue for graduation pathways.