Bambe said on Tuesday when minister of gender, Mary Navicha, launched 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.

One lean seasoned cash support program beneficiaries, Marita Malizani, said the initiative has helped her dodge the wrath of hunger compared to those outside the program.

Navicha said government with support from partners such as Irish embassy, German government and Unicef is committed to reach out hunger stricken households with top up social cash support to enable them buy food.

"About 22, 000 households are already benefiting in Balaka alone and we are planning to reach to about 30, 000 before the end of the lean season with social cash support," said Navicha.

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 K23, 400 each month to assist build resilience and provide avenue for graduation pathways.