By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, December 11, Mana: District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay District Council, Rodgers Newa has disclosed that the council, through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) will start distribution of relief items on Friday.,

Newa disclosed this Wednesday during a full council meeting.

He said the exercise, targeting 10, 494 households, is part of 2024/25 National Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme.

"We are done with all processes like assessment, retargeting and verification of beneficiaries. On Friday, we will start maize distribution starting with the area of lower Zilakoma then all other areas across the district," he said.

According to Newa, each household is expected to receive a 50 kilograms bag of maize for December, January and February.

In his remarks Traditional Authority Zilakoma commended government for the timely support as this will greatly bail out households that are currently affected by hunger in his area.

Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee report established that about 5.7 million Malawians will be in dire need of food aid during the lean period from October 2024.