Malawi President Arthur Peter Mutharika has declared a state of national disaster in eleven districts of the country facing an acute food shortage due to prolonged dry spells.

Justin Saidi, Chief Secretary to the President, released a statement on Saturday, saying President Mutharika “has noted with grave concern the impacts of food insecurity as a result of cumulative impacts of prolonged dry spells.”

According to a recent Food Situation Report from the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC), about 4 million people are at risk of experiencing acute food shortage this year and early next year.

“The president is therefore appealing for both local and international support for the affected families. The number of people affected by the dry spells is very large. Let’s therefore help the affected communities as soon as possible,” said Saidi.

The affected districts are spread across the country’s four administrative regions.

During the past five years, Malawi has passed through periods of El Nino-induced weather phenomenon, which has affected food security.