By Winfrida Kamwana

Mchinji, May 3, Mana: The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) on Friday distributed 800 bags of maize to households in Mchinji that were food insecure in the just-ended lean season under the 2024/2025 lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme.

DoDMA Director of Preparedness and Response, Reverend Moses Chimphepo said since the programme started in September 2024, the department has managed to provide food support to all the people who were registered under the programme.

 “The department has managed to reach out to affected households more than twice in the 21 districts that needed support and we are glad that all 5.7 million registered under the programme have benefitted,” said Chimphepo.

He said it is not just the government’s responsibility to provide food but citizens also need to take part in providing for their households by avoiding selling all the farm produce.

“People need to understand what food budgeting is all about. After harvesting, they need to save enough food to sustain them before selling the remaining produce knowing that at least they have food for themselves,” explained Chimphepo.

Senior group village head Chimwala has since commended DoDMA for distributing the bags of maize saying it has helped a lot of families to overcome the food insecurity in their homes.

“We appreciate the government for this programme because a lot of families were affected in this area and if it weren’t for the food insecurity programme, we would have lost several people due to hunger,” Said Senior Group Chimwala.

One of the beneficiaries, Dorothy John from Chimwala village also commended the department for providing food and highlighted that the 50 Kilogrammes bag of maize has brought relief to her family.

The programme started in September 2024 with support from the World Bank and is expected to run through May 2025.