By Janet Masamba

NKhata Bay, May 6, Mana: Nkhata Bay District Council on Tuesday distributed bags of maize to 50 households, which were affected by heavy rainstorm, which hit the district since Saturday damaging houses and property.

According to Spokesperson for Nkhata Bay District Council, Chisomo Kambandanga, the affected households are located in various areas under Senior Chief Mkumbira in the district.

Kambandanga said the initiative aims at mitigating some of the challenges that affected households are facing as they strive to cope up with the situation and return to normal life.

"Upon receiving reports of the damage, we conducted an assessment and verification exercise and established that about 50 households were affected in this area.

“These households had their houses damaged and lost food stuff in the process, hence the intervention through which we are providing a 50 kilogram bag of maize, plastic pails and plates,” said Kambandanga.

He said the Council also received reports of damaged crop fields from the areas of senior chiefs Timbiri and Mkumbira, traditional authorities Fukamalaza and Kabunduli and results on the extent of the damage would be released soon.

One of the beneficiaries of the relief food, Magret Mkandawire, was thankful to the Council for turning to their rescue.

Another beneficiary, Robert Msiska, commended the Council for the intervention, saying the maize would help sustain food supply during the difficult time.

Chairperson for Mkumbira Area Development Committee, Mavuto Kaunda, said the support will go a long way in helping the affected households recover from the devastating effects of the disaster.