By Rennie Tembo

Lilongwe, February 14, Mana: Member of Parliament for Lilongwe Msozi North Sosten Gwengwe, has commended the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) for its tireless efforts in distributing food aid to vulnerable communities affected by food insecurity.

Gwengwe who is also Minister of Trade and Industry made the remarks Wednesday during the distribution exercise in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Chadza in the district.

He said the distribution of the relief maize to supporting food-insecure families, is assisting many households to have food in their homes.

"DoDMA has demonstrated exceptional dedication to alleviating food insecurity among many households. Their selfless efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we appreciate the critical role they play, “he said.

However, Gwengwe issued a stern warning to Chairpersons of Village Development Committee (VDC) who collect money from beneficiaries, emphasizing that such practices are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

"We have received reports of some VDC chairpersons taking advantage of vulnerable beneficiaries by collecting money from them, this practice is unacceptable and will be dealt with accordingly. The government will not allow anyone to exploit its people,” he said

Jusabu Musa, 83-year-old beneficiary, thanked government through DoDMA for their timely initiative saying his family had been struggling to make ends meet.

Lilongwe District Disaster Officer, Anganile Kalonga, said that DoDMA has so far distributed over 103,869 bags of maize to food-insecure families since December 2024.

"DoDMA remain committed to providing timely support to those affected by disasters. We work tirelessly to ensure that relief items reach those who need them most," she said.

She further urged the beneficiaries to use the donation for its intended purpose and not sell the maize, saying the behaviour is unacceptable.

The food distribution exercise is part of government's efforts to mitigate the effects of food insecurity, which has affected many households across the country.