By Tracy Kafansiyanji

Dedza, January 29, Mana: Government, through the Department of Disaster and Management Affairs (DoDMA) on Friday distributed maize to some households struggling with hunger under Traditional Authorities Kamenyagwaza and Kachindamoto in Dedza district.

Dedza District Commissioner, Thomas Chigwenembe, said the exercise was the beginning of two months relief food distribution programme to support the needy and marginalised households.

"This is a two-month exercise whereby each household will get one 50 kilogramme bag of maize from January to February. We intend to reach out to 44,333 deserving households across the district.

“We are expecting more tons of maize which will be ready soon for distribution to the rest of the families from the remaining traditional authorities by next week,” said Chigwenembe.

Dedza Council Chairperson, Blessings Mkweu, said hunger situation in most parts of the district is worrisome and more people are starving as they cannot afford a kilogram of maize let alone 50 kilogrammes which is selling at K50,000.

“It will be appreciated if Non-Governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, partners and other stakeholders collaborate with government to end hunger,” stated Mkweu.

Traditional Authority Kamenyagwaza has since hailed government for delivering on its promise saying they have been struggling since October, 2023 saying people relied on mangoes and other fruits for their survival while others went around in search for pieces of work instead of working in their farms.

One of the beneficiaries, Logelio Mgumbi, expressed gratitude for the donation calling upon other well-wishers to come in and reach out to others people.