By Joseph Ligowe

Blantyre, April 9, Mana: Over 46,311 families that are affected by hunger in Blantyre District stand to benefit from a maize distribution which is expected to start on Sunday, April 13 in the district with each listed affected family to receive a 50 Kilogramme bag of maize for six months.

Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday, Disaster Risk and Management Officer (DRMO) for Blantyre District Council, Faith Khamula, disclosed that the exercise is a response to food insecurity among housedholds as a result of last year’s effects of El Nino.

“This climatic condition led to many households harvesting low yields, resulting in food insecurity at household level,” she added.

Khamula said about 2,552 tons of maize are expected to be distributed to households in all Traditional Authorities in Blantyre District, with each family receiving a 50-kilogramme bag of maize for six months.

Traditional Authority Machinjiri applauded government for responding to the food situation in the district, saying the exercise will address the situation in his area as well.

“This exercise has come at an opportune time because, currently, the majority of people rarely afford a meal in a day," he said.

The maize distribution exercise will be done by Government of Malawi through Blantyre District Council in collaboration with the World Food Programme.