Dodma warns against political bias

Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) has warned Rumphi District Council officials against favouritism when distributing 76.2 metric tonnes of rice from China.

Dodma deputy director of response and recovery Dyce Nkhoma said this when he briefed the district executive committee about the food supplies donated by the Chinese Government.

“This is a humanitarian programme and should be treated as such. As such, I urge the council to guard against political biases and interference throughout this exercise. All affected households should benefit regardless of their political, religious or cultural affiliations. No one should benefit because he or she belongs to political party A or B,” he said.

Rumphi is one of 20 districts the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (Mvac) identified as food insecure last year.

China made the donation in aid of 10 districts initially sidestepped by development partners when government called for international assistance.

Almost 1 520 households, whose crops were scorched by drought, will get 50 kilogrammes of rice each.

This year, some parts of the district experienced floods, dry spells and fall armyworm attacks.

According to Nkhoma, Mvac assessments are underway to ascertain their impact on food security.

“The exercise is very welcomed in the district. As a council, we will work hand in hand with Mvac to implement this exercise as soon as possible,” said Rumphi district commissioner Lusizi Nhlane.