The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has released 200 metric tonnes of relief maize to Lavushimanda District in Muchinga Province.
Lavushimanda District Administrative Officer (DAO), Morris Kabanda who confirmed the development to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in a telephone interview says the 200 metric tonnes of maize will be distributed to the hunger stricken households.
Mr Kabanda says the distribution of the relief maize has since started adding that a total of 4,000 households are targeted to benefit from the exercise.
“As a district we received 4,000 bags of white maize from DMMU and distribution is currently underway to the 4,000 households who are hunger stricken due to human animal conflict and drought experienced in the district,” He says.
The DAO says the beneficiaries are from selected areas adding that the Project Implementing Partner (PIP) has already been engaged and has commenced the distribution of the relief maize in the district.
Mr Kabanda adds that the distribution started on January 12, 2023 with Mupamazi Ward which is the most affected area with several villages in the valley whose residents are mostly hit by hunger every year.
He says so far the beneficiaries are happy with the move government has taken which is timely.
“We have had a lot of reports of hunger at the District Administration offices and now government has done a great job by coming to the aid of these people,” He adds.
He states that though the feeder roads are in a deplorable state due to the rains, distribution is expected to be completed before the end of this month.
Mr Kabanda further called on those that have not yet received the relief maize but are on the list to remain calm as they will receive their share before February.
He further thanked government for coming to the aid of the residents saying the relief maize will serve many affected citizens in the district.