A senior official of the World Food Program (WFP) has appealed to development partners to come in and assist Malawi with relief food, as latest reports indicate that over 2 million people in the country are food insecure.

It also comes amid amid reports that there is a shortfall of about US$26 million for relief food towards the hunger stricken households in the country.

Revised figures from the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee reveal that over two million people will be food insecure during the peak of the lean period between January and March 2013, representing a 21 percent increase.

It further adds that at least 84,811 metric tonnes of maize will be needed for the total population from the initial estimates of 73,394 metric tonnes.

So far Norway, United States and United kingdom have already come in to assist the nation.

Speaking to capital fm world food program deputy country director Baton Osman says it was pathetic to witness people especially children sleeping on empty stomach.

Currently, the government through the department of disaster preparedness in conjunction with WFP, President Joyce and donor support, and presidential initiative on hunger and poverty reduction are distributing relief maize to the affected households in the country.