By Ernest Mfunya

Mangochi, December 10, Mana: Communities in Mangochi District have commended the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) for the timely distribution of relief maize under the 2024/2025 lean season programme.

Speaking randomly during the distribution exercise on Monday, people in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Namkumba and Sub T/A Chiunda described the timely distribution exercise as a lifesaver and an early Christmas gift.

Agness Moses from the area claimed that people were sleeping on empty stomachs due to food insecurity, as they did not harvest enough maize during the previous growing season.

‘‘We were relying on mangoes and other plants and now we are thankful to the government for considering distributing the relief maize in good time. We expect to start receiving it early next year.

‘‘The relief maize will go a long way in supporting our families during this lean period as you are aware that many did not harvest enough in the previous growing season,’’ she said.

In her remarks, Stiveria Esiyesi from Sub-T/A Chiunda said that the relief maize will enable people to participate in various development activities taking place in the area.

According to the Disaster Risk Management Officer for Mangochi, Maria Joseph, at least 120,465 households in Mangochi are expected to benefit from the programme this year.

Joseph added that each beneficiary household will receive a 50 kilogramme bag of maize for three consecutive months.

Every year government through DODMA distributes relief maize to vulnerable households affected by hunger in the country.

Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee report established that about 5.7 million Malawians will be in dire need of food aid during the lean period from October 2024.