By Andrew Mkonda & Rennie Tembo

Lilongwe, February 25, Mana: Government has assured people heavily affected by hunger in the country of its commitment to serve the situation by reaching out to those affected with relief food.

Minister of Mining, Monica Chang’anamuno, made the assurance at Malembo Community Day Secondary School ground in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Chiwaula during the launch of the distribution of maize flour to vulnerable households.

She said it is sad that about 336,000 households in the district are food insecure due to effects of climate change that resulted to natural disasters such as floods and drought.

“President Dr Lazurus Chakwera does not want anyone to die of hunger. That is why we are launching this program today. Let me, therefore, appeal that the maize flour we are distributing today is not for sale and should be used for the intended purpose.

“Any beneficiary who sells this flour will be struck off the list of beneficiaries forthwith; and reported to security personnel for further action,” she said.

Chang’anamuno thanked various governments and humanitarian partners, specifically the World Bank, for providing financial support for procuring maize flour and World Food Programme (WFP) for assisting in logistical arrangements for the importation of the flour.

TA Chiwaula thanked government for the initiative saying it will go a long way in easing the challenges that the people are facing.

He urged his subjects to cultivate diversified food crops to reduce reliance on maize as El Nino threatens this year’s growing season.

One of the beneficiaries, Miness Malembo, said the maize flour will rescue her family from hunger.

She assured government to use the donation for the intended purpose.

At least 81,333 households have been affected by hunger in Lilongwe and earmarked to receive relief maize flour.