By Blackson Mkupatira

Chiradzulu, April 12, Mana: Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has assured hunger-stricken households in Chiradzulu District that government is doing everything possible to ensure families affected by El Niño receive relief maize.

Speaking on Friday during a symbolic maize distribution exercise in Traditional Authority Nkalo in the district, DoDMA's Director of Preparedness and Response, Rev. Moses Chimphepo said funds have already been mobilized for further procurement and distribution of relief maize for the third phase.

He said that government has already sourced 87 percent of the maize needed for the entire response period which varies in districts according to the findings of the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) which projected widespread hunger affecting about 5.7 million people in the country.

“As DoDMA, we have started distributing 1,550 metric tons of maize to vulnerable communities across the nation. The maize being distributed now in Chiradzulu was purchased using funds from the African Development Bank (AfDB),” he added, and expressed concern that some people were reportedly selling the relief maize, warning that such acts risk discouraging donors.

On the selection of beneficiaries, the director expressed concern over frequent criticisms directed at DoDMA, despite the department's limited role in the process.

“It is often DoDMA that gets blamed when issues arise, but the responsibility for selecting who receives assistance lies with the councils and traditional leaders. Our mandate is to mobilize resources and procure the maize,” he clarified.

On her part, AfDB Senior Agricultural Economist, Doreen Kumwenda, said the bank provided K1.8 billion to Malawi Government to help procure maize for families affected by hunger following the presidential declaration of a state of disaster in March last year.

“We understand the effects of climate change, which reduced crop yields by about 20 percent that’s why we made the donation. The maize we helped purchase will benefit over 31,000 households in Zomba and Chiradzulu,” she added.

Kumwenda also assured government of AfDB’s continued support in tackling hunger and promoting resilience, saying they will continue to work with the government until a time when communities are able to be independent.

Chiradzulu District Commissioner, Francis Matewere disclosed that 26,413 households have been earmarked to receive maize under the relief programme.

Member of Parliament for Chiradzulu South, Joseph Mwanamvekha, thanked DoDMA and AfDB for their support, saying his area suffered three consecutive years of natural disasters.

“Hunger in our area is worsened by erratic rains, farmers’ limited access to fertilizer, and prolonged dry spells. I appeal to DoDMA to consider increasing number of beneficiaries so that more people can benefit,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Traditional Authority Nkalo, whose area also benefited from DoDMA maize programme, acknowledged the support but raised concerns over the pace of distribution.

“We were told that we would be receiving maize for four months starting in December, but this is only the second time we are receiving it. There’s a need to speed up the process so that people should get assistance on time,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Emilida Banda, from Nkalo Village said she did not harvest enough during the 2024/25 farming season due to erratic rainfall, and thanked government for the relief maize, saying it will reduce the hunger her family was facing.