NANCY MWAPE, Livingstone
ABOUT 300 metric tonnes of relief maize have been set aside to avert hunger in six districts of Southern Province as Government awaits a full report on crop failure in the province.
Provincial Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu said hunger is a serious problem that has affected a large population of the Southern Province.
“Going by preliminary indicators, six districts are seriously affected by hunger, namely Gwembe, Sinazongwe and Siavonga in the valley. Others are Zimba, Livingstone and Kazungula on the upper land,” he said.
Speaking in Livingstone, Mr Mubukwanu said Government has already allocated 50 metric tonnes of relief maize in each district as it awaits a full account from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) that is undertaking a vulnerability report.
He said a full report from the DMMU will help Government know who is affected and how much is required.
He said the provincial administration is also aware that some sections of Choma and Kalomo have been affected but these will be considered when a full report is released.
He assured that those affected by the drought will not die of hunger.
Mr Mubukwanu said Government has enough stocks of maize to feed everyone.
“All we want is to make sure that those responsible for the management of relief maize do not delay the process for no reason. We want people to be given food accordingly,” he said.