By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, November 9, Mana: The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has oriented District Disaster Risk Management and Area Disaster Risk Management Committees from Likoma and Chizumulu Island on beneficiary targeting in 2024/2025 Lean Season Food Response Programme.

Speaking on Friday during the orientation in Likoma, Director of Preparedness and Response for DoDMA, Moses Chimphepo said the purpose of the meeting was to inform the committees on how best to select deserving beneficiaries.

“The purpose of the meeting was to discuss with the members on how best they can select the right beneficiaries during maize distribution exercise. There are some challenges that we have been experiencing throughout the country including selection of undeserving beneficiaries,” said Chimphepo.

He said the committees need to have the segregated data when registering inorder to know how many men or women, the elderly, orphans, people with disabilities are suppose to benefit from the program.

District Commissioner for Likoma, Abubakar Nkhoma advised the committees to put into practice whatever knowledge gained from the orientation.

“It is the government’s wish to reach out to the affected families with maize. As committee members, we need to play a vital role in the exercise. So let us take whatever we have been told here,” said Nkhoma.

Chairperson for Area Disaster Risk Management from Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Mwase, Stanley Jafu thanked DoDMA for the orientation saying it was an eye opener for everyone.

“This meeting is very crucial because last year we encountered some challenges. Things never went well during the maize distribution exercise as some people registered their relatives,” said Jafu.