At least 38,405 households in Zomba District have been affected by hunger following a poor harvest last year.

Zomba District Commissioner, Musandide Fredrick Misinjo, disclosed this on Thursday at St Anthony CDSS in Thondwe during a Lean Season Response Programme food distribution exercise.

At the event, National Bank of Malawi donated K300 million towards the purchase of maize for hunger-stricken families through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA).

Misinjo warned that the number of households requiring food assistance could rise due to prolonged dry spells that have affected crops in several areas, including Traditional Authorities Mulumbe, Nkapita and M’biza.

He disclosed that some farmers have already uprooted their crops in an attempt to replant after earlier efforts failed.

Speaking at the event, Principal Secretary responsible for Administration in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Rashid Mtelera, who received the donation on behalf of government, expressed gratitude to the private sector for supporting the lean season response.

“We are thankful for the continued partnership with stakeholders such as National Bank of Malawi. However, with the recent dry spells affecting several districts, more support may be required,” said Mtelera.

In his remarks, National Bank of Malawi Chief Executive Officer, Masauko Katsala, reiterated the bank’s commitment to supporting communities across the country, describing the K300 million donation as part of the institution’s corporate social responsibility.

“As a Malawian bank, we believe it is our duty to assist communities in times of need. This will not be a once-off initiative,” said Katsala.