About 1.6 million Malawians will need food aid before this year’s harvest, an eightfold increase from last year, because of poor crops and rising prices, the United Nations World Food Programme [WFP] said.

The agency “warned that 15 out of 28 districts were affected by a deteriorating situation, owing to prolonged dry spells in the country,” adding, “The cost of food is seeing rapid inflation, pushing basic items out of the reach of many Malawians”.

“Malawi will use 25,000 metric tons of stored corn to provide relief, while the U.S. will give food worth $7.8 million, according to the statement,” adding, “The U.K. will donate $4.7 million in funding, it said.