The national government has started distributing relief food to families hard hit by famine in Mwala Sub County.
The food includes 395 bags of rice and 160 bags of beans. Each bag contains 50 kilogrammes.
The exercise that was launched Thursday by Mwala Deputy County Commissioner David Tegutwa at his office grounds, targets 4,400 households and 16 primary schools.
“Ten per cent of the food will go to the selected schools, while the rest will be given to hunger stricken families. However, 50 per cent of the remaining food will be allocated to Yathui and Kibauni divisions because they are the worst hit by the drought,” said the DCC while addressing the sub county group steering committee earlier before the launch.
Tegutwa called on non-state actors and well-wishers distributing relief food to residents affected by the drought to collaborate with the national government to ensure proper coordination.
“We should synergize efforts to distribute relief food across the sub county to avoid duplication,” noted the administrator and called on local leaders to desist from politicizing the exercise.
Tegutwa dissuaded the beneficiaries against selling the relief food or any other items given by the government to alleviate the situation.
“We have also noted with concern that some residents who received certified seeds are washing them and cooking which is dangerous,” he said.
By Roselyne Kavoo
