Malawi President Joyce Banda, under JB’s Initiative to Combat Hunger, on Friday distributed bags of maize to 600 vulnerable people from the area of Traditional Authority Nankumba in lakeshore district of Mangochi.
The President made the donation at Chikoko Bay State Lodge Mini Stadium.
“The levels of the food crisis in our country today calls for concerted efforts, which is why I did not sit on my laurels and watch people suffer under severe food shortages,” Banda said.
She called on people in the country to cultivate a spirit of sharing with their neighbours in order to reduce the impact of hunger caused by severe food shortage the country is currently facing.
Banda observed that the country was going through a bad time, stressing that she was not taking over the responsibility of non-governmental organisations and charitable organisations by distributing the food herself.
“I want all of you to know that I will continue distributing maize to the needy people of this country. There is no way I can stand by and drink tea when people are suffering, so I will not tire, myself and various members of the People’s Party will continue to distribute maize where it is needed most,” she said.
Banda explained that the food distribution exercise she has embarked on is complementing other efforts that government and other partners are doing to reduce the impact of hunger.
Member of Parliament for Mangochi-Monkey Bay, Ralph Jooma thanked the President for coming to the rescue of people who were at risk of starvation, saying the gesture was only evident during late President Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s era.
Jooma who is also deputy Minister of Economic Planning and Development also commended the President Banda for making the green belt initiative a reality by launching it in a number of districts, noting that it would contribute to food security measures at household and national levels.
In his remarks, Traditional Authority Nankumba also thanked government for increasing the number of farm input subsidy beneficiaries in this year’s growing season.
He disclosed that the area has seen the formation of committees in support to government’s initiative to champion maternal and child mortality reduction.
President Mrs.Joyce Banda distributing maize to the needy in Mangochi.-Picture by Francis Mphweya-MANA