Salima North West MP, Enock Phale, has praised the government for its proactive approach in starting maize distribution earlier than planned in the district.
During an inspection of the maize distribution exercise in the areas of Senior Chiefs Makanjira and Khombedza in the district, Phale said when President Dr Lazarus Chakwera had a whistle stop at Siyasiya Trading Centre in his area last Thursday, he asked him to expedite maize distribution due to food shortage.
“Just a day after we made the request, 5,403 households are already receiving maize. This timely response is crucial to sustaining our community and supporting productive lives,” Phale said.
He urged the recipients to refrain from selling the relief maize and advised them to minimize wastage to ensure the supply lasts until the next distribution phase.
Disaster Risk Management Officer for Salima, Gloria Chinangwa revealed that maize distribution in the district was supposed to commence in December.
“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 well,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Rose Phiri, from Odala Village in the area of Senior Chief Khombedza, felt the impact of El Nino.
“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 4 months until we harvest in the next farming season,” she said.
A total of 37,750 households in Salima will benefit from monthly maize distributions through February 2025.
By Fostina Mkandawire, MANA
