By Richard Kagunda

Kasungu, January 5, Mana:  Government through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) is continuing the distribution of maize to hunger-stricken communities in Kasungu District where at least 50 000 households are earmarked to benefit.

On Saturday, Member of Parliament for Kasungu North, Mike Bango, led the relief maize distribution exercise in the areas of Traditional Authority Kaluluma, Chisemphere, Kalikokha, Chisikwa and Chikwa in the district.

Bango applauded government for the maize, describing it as a huge response amid a hunger crisis largely created by the El Nino weather phenomenon that led to prolonged dry spells resulting in poor harvest last season.

“We thank government for walking the talk on food distribution as we are all aware of the hunger created by natural disasters last season. We do not expect anyone to sell the maize received today.

“I would also like to urge well-wishers to join government in these efforts because many people do not have food and will need assistance,” Bango said.

He said it pleasing that maize is now available in ADMARC markets in his constituency where people can buy it at affordable prices.

Group Village Head, Chisikwa expressed excitement with the donation and thanked government for the response.

“We are hungry here, not necessarily because of laziness, but because of the dry spells we experienced last year. Most families do not have food.

“However, I am glad that we have received the maize. This will reduce the pressure we had in our households and we are thankful to the government for this,” Chisikwa said.

He called on the beneficiaries to adopt eating habits that can assist in preserving food by avoiding wastefulness.

One of the beneficiaries, Witness Banda could not conceal her joy after receiving a bag of maize and said she and her family will now have something good to eat after a long period without proper food.

At least 5014 bags of maize have been distributed so far in Kasungu North alone, with the exercise expected to be done for two more months.

Kasungu is one of the 23 districts President Lazarus Chakwera declared a state of disaster in March last year following a disastrous growing season.