By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, November 4, Mana: Lean season response of maize distribution has commenced earlier than expected in Salima District due to the severity of the hunger situation, a development which has been commended.

Speaking on Sunday during an inspection of maize distribution exercise in the areas of Senior Chiefs Makanjira and Khombedza, Member of Parliament for Salima North West, Enock Phale commended government for the swift response, describing it as timely.

He said this on Thursday, November 1, when State President's Dr. Lazarus Chakwera had a whistle stop at Siyasiya trading centre in his area. He requested that there should be an expedition of maize distribution in his area, because the hunger situation had worsened.

"Barely after a day when we requested for commencement of maize distribution, today about 5, 403 households are receiving maize, this is the relief that is needed at the moment, to have productive citizens," he said.

Phale urged beneficiaries not to sale the relief maize and advised them to avoid food wastage so that the maize should take them to the next phase of receiving another bag of maize.

Disaster Risk Management Officer for Salima, Gloria Chinangwa said maize distribution in the district was supposed to commence in December, fortunate enough maize has started trickling in the district early.

"For the next three months families will be receiving a bag of maize monthly, this is under the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee response, so far the exercise is going on well, we have not met any challenges, eligible households are receiving the maize," she said.

One of the beneficiaries, Rose Phiri, from Odala Village in the area of Senior Chief Khombedza, said she was heavily affected by El Nino and she did not harvest well.

"We do not have enough food at home, this bag of maize will go a long way in alleviating hunger in my house for the next four months until we harvest in the next farming season," she said.

Another beneficiary, Peter Chimchere, from Senior Chief Khombedza, said his household has been struggling to find food and he can hardly feed his six children.

"Receiving a 50kg bag of maize is such a relief, because it will go a long way in feeding my family, I am grateful to have benefited from this response, seeing how badly the El Nino affected us to the extent of failing to harvest even after ably farming," he said.

A total of 37, 750 households from Salima District will receive a bag of maize monthly for the next three months until February 2025.