By Martin Chiwanda

Machinga, September 6, Mana: Traditional Authority (TA) Mtumbwinda of Machinga District has applauded government for moving with speed to provide food support to hunger-affected families in his area some of whom were seen surviving on itching beans (chitedze).

The traditional leader expressed appreciation in an interview with Malawi News Agency Thursday when Machinga District Council with support from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) distributed maize to 100 households that depended on wild beans and other plants for survival.

He said his subjects have been relying on wild plants for survival, adding that it was impressive that government responded quickly after the council reported the food situation.

“I am happy that government has provided my subjects with this food support. It has been a quick response after reporting the case just few days ago. People that received the maize really appreciate government’s quick response.

“As a traditional leader, I appreciate the government and the council’s prompt response. My people have something to rely upon,” said TA Mtumbwinda.

He therefore asked the recipients to consume the food per government intention rather than selling the relief it.

Hunger situation in Machinga was known through a video clip that circulated on social media showing Margaret Pepe picking itching beans (chitedze) to make food.

Pepe was one of the recipients after DODMA came to Mtumbwinda for maize distribution to the hunger-affected households and thanked government for coming to the community rescue, saying there was relief after the food support.

“We appreciate the timely support by the government. We did not know that one day, we will receive relief food from the government,” she said.

Machinga District Disaster Risk Management Officer, Shepherd Jere said government came in after realizing that some people were food insecure in the area.

Jere added that the food provision came barely a few weeks after government also provided once-off maize flour to about 4,000 households in the district.

“Government is trying to provide food support to people in Machinga so that they should have something to eat while they are waiting for the start of the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) response,” he added.

Malawi government through DODMA distributed the once-off maize flour recently in the country including Machinga District such that about 4000 households in the district benefited from the support.