At least two people have died due to hunger-related causes, local authorities in Ntcheu district have said.
Confirming the matter, Chief Kathendo 2 of Katsinje village in the area of Traditional Authority Chilinga identified the deceased as Evason Katsache and Zafaria Gangalako.
According to Kathendo, the two died earlier this week having gone for five days without food.
The Chief said there is an acute food shortage in the area with most households having no food to feed their families.
‘’People are pushed to eat cassava daily. Others are running for days without any food for themselves. The situation is pathetic here, ’’said Kathendo.
He added: ‘’we are also worried that the government and the disaster department have not come here to distribute any relief items even though they are aware of the situation,’’.
However, in a separate interview, the Ministry of Agriculture refused to be drawn to comment on the matter saying they have not received any official information to that effect.
Spokesperson in the Ministry, Pricilla Mateyu said government has been ordering maize and flour from neighboring countries since November last year to help people that are affected by hunger in the country.
