By Shaffie Bakali

Mangochi, February 25, Mana: Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) on Saturday launched the second phase of the 2023/2024 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme (LSFIRP) in Mangochi with distribution of fortified maize flour in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Mtelera in the district.

The 2023/2024 LSFIRP is expected to bail out 74,000 households in the district.

Speaking during the launch at Mchokola Primary School ground, DoDMA Deputy Director for Disaster Response, Fyawupi Mwafongo, advised beneficiaries to properly utilize the items.

"We are encouraging beneficiaries to refrain from selling the flour. We mobilize resources from different organizations that can lose interest in helping government if beneficiaries are not grateful,” Mwafongo said.

He hailed World Food Programme for uplifting the burden of transportation of the relief items.

Chairperson for Mangochi District Council, Hassan Chikuta, hailed government for distributing ready for use food.

"I would like to thank government for bringing maize flour in the second phase. During the first phase, people received maize which required financial resources to make it a final and consumable product," Chikuta said.

He encouraged local authorities, responsible for distribution, to ensure that the programme is benefiting the intended audience.

One of the beneficiaries, Jumo Anubi, expressed gratitude for the initiative saying it is a timely rescue.