Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) commissioner Wilson Moleni has warned officials and traditional leaders against exploiting relief food beneficiaries under the Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme. Speaking on Thursday in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mkukula in Dowa District during monitoring of the food distribution exercise, he said the progress so far was impressive. Said Moleni: “We are monitoring the Malawi Contingency Emergency Response Project under the World Bank, which supported the procurement of maize from Zambia and members of the steering committee are out to monitor the exercise.
“So far, we are impressed with the progress and the intervention itself because many affected people have received relief food.” However, he expressed concern with reports of malpractices, including discrimination during registration of beneficiaries. Moleni said selection of beneficiaries should be a fair process that follows laws and procedures, as such committees at all levels must work to ensure that only those facing hunger are included. “Let me stress that selling the maize is against the law.
I urge those doing that to stop immediately. As a department, we will ensure all culprits are prosecuted to protect the vulnerable,” he said. Moleni said despite logistical challenges due to weather conditions, the commission will strive to ensure that every beneficiary is reached.
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Dowa district commissioner James Kanyangalazi said the district was affected by both drought and heavy rains during the last farming season, leaving many households food insecure. “Many households are facing food challenges. We thank government because at least 41 000 households will receive relief food under this exercise from January to March,” he said.
Kanyangalazi commended the initiative for prioritising vulnerable groups, including the elderly. One of the beneficiaries, Yosofina Ignacio Sosola, 84, from Funsani Village, was happy to receive maize
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