Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) has distributed 800 bags of maize to food-insecure households in Mchinji.
The maize is meant to support families who failed to realise good harvests in the 2024 growing season due to prolonged dry spells caused by El Nino weather phenomenon.
maize. | Winfrida Kamwana
Speaking during distribution on Friday, Dodma director of preparedness and response the Reverend Moses Chimphepo said they started the exercise in September 2024.
He said Dodma has provided food support to people registered under the programme.
“Dodma reached out to affected households more than twice in the 21 districts that needed support and we are pleased that all 5.7 million food-insecure people under the programme have benefitted,” said Chimphepo.
He said it is not just the government’s responsibility to provide food but citizens also should avoid selling all farm produce.
“People need to understand what food budgeting is all about. After harvesting, they need to save enough food to sustain them before selling the remaining produce knowing that at least they have food for themselves,” she said.
Group village head Chimwala has since commended Dodma for distributing maize, saying it has helped many families to overcome the food insecurity.
“We thank government because hunger has affected many families,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Dorothy John from Chimwala Village, said she had nothing to eat.
