Zambia: Government has delivered over 4000 by 50-kilogram bags of white Maize to Lusangazi District in Eastern Province as relief aid to hunger-stricken families. The district administration is dedicated to ensuring food security for the affected people.
Lusangazi District Commissioner, Mike Tembo revealed that the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) is assisting the effort. They delivered 4,640 by 50-kilogram bags of white maize to Lusangazi to support the
According to the district Commissioner, many people in the area were affected by hunger caused by flash floods.
The natural disaster washed away their crops during the 2022/2023 farming season leading to poor crop yields.
“I’m pleased to announce that government has come to the aid of our people who have been hit by hunger as a result of flash floods which washed away their crops during last rainy season “, he said.
Further, District Commissioner Mike Tembo revealed that a private organisation, Petauke Nutrition Group (PNG) Â assisted the government in the distribution of the relief maize to all the 11 wards of the district.
He asked all the councilors in the area to cooperate and work with the satellite committee members in ensuring that people in their respective wards who are badly hit by hunger benefit from the maize.
Tembo thanked government for the quick response to the hunger situation in Lusangazi. He also added that government is always ready to intervene when people are faced with challenges such as hunger.
The hunger situation is said to have badly hit people in the Lusangazi valley. According to the administration, about 175 families are eating wild roots locally known as “Mpama” due to lack of food.
Headman Kamlawilo, David Phiri also shared his views about the situation of the district. People are going in the bush as early as 04.00 hours in the morning to dig the wild roots and feed their families.
” The hunger situation is bad in our area as people are now eating wild roots called “Mpama” because we completely have no food and are waiting on the government to give us relief,” he lamented.
Further, Nelson Phiri, who is Lusangazi Ward Development Committee member for Sengevwa satellite said people needed to be careful when consuming the roots as some of them are poisonous.
“Yes, people are depending on these wild fruits but the other type is poisonous so it’s dangerous if someone doesn’t know the one that should be consumed,” he said.
