Rumphi District Council Warns Against Selling Food Relief Amid Hunger Crisis
The District Council anticipates completing food relief distribution across the entire district by the end of the month once it receives the full consignment from DODMA.
RUMPHI, Malawi — Rumphi District Council has issued a stern warning to beneficiaries of the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) lean season response program against selling their food relief to vendors, emphasizing the importance of maintaining household food security amid the widespread hunger affecting the country, writes Taonga Nyirenda.
District Commissioner Emmanuel Bulukutu delivered this message on Saturday during the official launch of the second phase of food relief distribution at Bumba Community-Based Childcare Centre (CBCC) in Rumphi district.
"With the current hunger situation in the district, as highlighted in the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee Report, we hope beneficiaries will not be tempted to sell the food that the government is providing as a response to the crisis," Bulukutu stated.
The commissioner noted that the food distribution to 5,764 beneficiaries comes at an opportune time, coinciding with cash distributions to over 9,000 recipients from the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP).
This dual approach ensures that vulnerable households not included in the food relief program can still purchase food supplies during this critical period.
"This is the second month of food distribution to vulnerable households, and we expect to complete the distribution next week. Today, during the launch, over 400 beneficiaries will receive their relief food," Bulukutu explained.
He added that most of the maize being distributed has been purchased within the district by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA), facilitating easier distribution for the council.
Annie Harawa from Kajalajata village in Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe's area, who received a 50-kg bag of maize, expressed gratitude for the assistance.
"I have been struggling to provide food for my family because our harvest from the previous season was depleted prematurely. With the rising prices of maize at the market, I could not manage to feed my family," Harawa explained.
The District Council anticipates completing food relief distribution across the entire district by the end of the month once it receives the full consignment from DODMA.