Mchinji District Council in relief food distribution

At least 400 poor households in Traditional Authority Mavwere in Mchinji District on Monday heaved a sigh of relief when they received  food aid.

This follows hailstorms that destroyed thousands of houses—displacing 4 842 people—and washed away crops.

The areas affected include traditional authorities Zulu, Simphasi and Dambe

Mchinji district commissioner Rosemary Nawasha said the heavy rains affected many families in the area hence the need for relief food items.

“Crops have been washed away; people were injured and some are still being treated at hospitals,” said Nawasha.

She said the displaced people needed food, shelter materials, blankets, kitchen utensils, among other things; hence, the district is appealing to well-wishers for help.

Nawasha, however, said she wanted to relay the message of hope to the victims and encourage them that government is doing everything to help them.

Said Nawasha: “I was here to ensure that each and every family that has been affected is receiving a bag of maize and two kilogrammes of beans.”

Mchinji South member of Parliament Develias Zaipa welcomed government’s decision to start distributing the relief items to the victims, saying it was long overdue.

Over 400 bags of maize were distributed. n