By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, March 27, Mana: Member of Parliament for Dowa East, Richard Chimwendo Banda, has warned people in the communities involved in recruitment of beneficiaries under the free food distribution program, against coercing beneficiaries into sharing maize with them.

He was speaking on Wednesday when he inspected some centers during a free maize distribution exercise conducted by Dowa district council.

Banda warned beneficiaries that some unscrupulous people may want to demand some of the maize from them.

"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. You must not allow this to happen. This is your maize and only meant for you and your families.

"Be assured that government also has systems used in identifying participants for a program. Similarly, let me warn anyone who may think of doing this that once found, appropriate actions will follow," he said.

Banda, who is also the Minister of Local Government, Unity, and Culture, stated that the government recognizes that many more people are in need of food assistance. He noted that the situation has worsened due to the current erratic rains, which have negatively impacted people's harvests.

"We will continue with the food distribution exercise, though we cannot reach out to each and every family, but the best we can do is to start preparing on how government will help those who will be affected," he said.

During the 2024 - 2025 lean season, ultra-poor households on the program were earmarked to receive three bags of maize per household to carter for them for three months.

In Dowa, beneficiaries had already received two of the bags and this was the third bag they had received.

In total, 2,063 bags were distributed on the day at five centers, namely; Maweru, Thonje, Kanyenge, Kaula and Mvera, all in Senior Chief Chiwere.

Speaking in an interview at Mvera, one of the beneficiaries, Malizani Levisoni, thanked government for the assistance.

"I am receiving the maize on behalf of 82-year-old Stelia Jelemane, who is currently sick and cannot manage to walk here.

"But this is a very good intervention because not everyone has the strength, opportunity to be food secure all year round. So we are very thankful," he said.

Disaster and Risk Management Officer for Dowa, Twambilire Ngosi, said the exercise went on well.

"There were no challenges, and people expressed appreciation saying the intervention was timely," she said.