Community members in Traditional Authority Chiwere in Dowa have expressed excitement with relief food distribution in the area.
The maize distribution is part of the 2024/25 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response under the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma). In Dowa, beneficiaries were expected to receive a bag of maize for three months from January 2025.
In an interview on Sunday, a beneficiary Malizani Levisoni from Mvera said the dry spells last growing season affected his crop output.
The 82-year-old man said he did not harvest anything, which rendered his household food-insecure.
“The relief came at the right time my family was struggling to get food. At my age, it was difficult to engage in piecework to raise money for food,” said Levisoni.
Another beneficiary Stelia Jelemane, who is sick and cannot walk, thanked Dodma for the initiative.
“The initiative is good because not everyone has the strength to produce food. There are several factors that prevent people from producing their own food, including poor health,” she said.
On his part, Dowa East legislator Richard Chimwendo Banda warned people involved in recruitment of beneficiaries against coercing them into sharing their maize.
“Some people would want to ask for a share of the maize from you, arguing that they helped you to get enrolled on the beneficiaries list. This is your maize,” he said.
Chimwendo Banda, who is also Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, said the government recognises that many people are in need of food.
Dowa district disaster and risk management officer Twambilire Ngosi said the exercise progressed well.
“There were no challenges and people expressed appreciation,” she said.
Dodma distributed 2 063 bags of maize to beneficiaries at Maweru, Thonje, Kanyenge, Kaula and Mvera.
