The report projected that 1.7 million people in the country will be food insecure during the 2021/22 lean period.

DoDMA public Relations Officer, Chipiliro Khamula revealed this on Saturday on the sidelines of a maize distribution launch in Mangochi and Machinga where a combined 36, 000 population will benefit by receiving two maize bags for January and February while others will receive K36, 000 cash for the same period.

"This is an important exercise as we aim to reach to a good number of beneficiaries. In most districts, the exercise has been concluded," Khamula said.

"There has been a progress on the exercise so far. We hope to keep the momentum," he added.

One of the beneficiaries, Mercy Nyambi thanked DoDMA for the assistance saying it will boost her family's meal intake.

Machinga District Commissioner Rosemary Nawasha has commended DoDMA for the support which will help the hunger threatened families in her district.

She has however called on the beneficiaries to take care of the maize during the lean period.

"Let me take an advantage to advise the beneficiaries not to sale the maize during this lean period as there's a threat of hunger looming," Nawasha said.

The MVAC report response exercise will cost DoDMA and its stakeholders K16 billion.