By Martha Simchimba

Lilongwe: January 17, Mana: Communities in Traditional Authority (TA) Kalumbu in Lilongwe have expressed excitement over the distribution of relief maize by government saying it will ease the challenges faced in the lean season.

Speaking on Tuesday during a maize distribution exercise at Mtenthera food distribution point, Group Village Head Funachina thanked government for the initiative saying the area is experiencing hunger as communities did not harvest much last year due to dry spells.

“I am happy to see this exercise happening in my area today. This will go a long way in reducing the problems people were facing, especially women and children,” he said.

Funachina, therefore, called on his subjects to use the maize donation for the intended purpose and not sell to vendors saying anyone who will be found doing that will face the law.

In his remarks, one of the beneficiaries Mtima Lyson assured government that they will use the relief maize received for the intended purpose and not sell.

“My family has suffered a lot in this lean season and I cannot make a grave mistake to sell this relief maize. I am so thankful to government for bailing us out from this dilemma,” she said.

Lilongwe District Risk Management Officer, Anganile Kalonga said government, through Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), will make sure that they reach all the vulnerable people in all TAs in the district.

About 1,419 beneficiaries received 50 kilogram of maize at Mtenthera food distribution point.

The project will run for four months. DoDMA is targeting 4.4 million beneficiaries across the country to receive relief items like maize and money.