-Lusaka Province Minister Sheal Mulyata has flagged off the drought response relief maize Distribution exercise under the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in Kafue District.

Speaking during the flag off exercise, Ms. Mulyata disclosed that the district has received the first consignment of 60 metric tons of relief maize from the total allocation of 838 metric tons for the district.

Ms. Mulyata reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing relief food to all communities and households that have been affected by the drought.

“Allow me to start by reaffirming the new dawn government’s commitment to providing relief maize to households that have been affected by this drought,” Ms. Mulyata said.

She noted that President Hakainde Hichilema recently launched the Food Security Drought Response Plan highlighting the planned intervention to be implemented by the government in response to the drought.

Ms. Mulyata has called for transparency, and accountability in the distribution of relief supplies within areas designated by the district Disaster Management Operations Manual.

She stated that the selected Project Implementing Partners (PIP) are expected to have the requisite knowledge of the socio-economic dynamics of the District to ensure sustainability and facilitation of relief operations.

Ms. Mulyata father congratulated the three Project Implementing Partners namely World Vision Zambia, Rise Community Programme (RICAP) and Child Fund Zambia for agreeing to work with the government, through the DMMU in distribution of the relief maize within the district.

Meanwhile, Kafue District Commissioner Maurice Hikapulwe expressed happiness that the district has received the first consignment of the drought response relief maize.

Mr. Hikapulwe disclosed that his office has divided the 18 wards in three groups for easy facilitation of the distribution of the maize to the intended beneficiaries by the project implementing partners.

“Through my Office we have divided the 18 wards of Kafue district in three groups for easy facilitation of maize distribution by our three project implanting partners,” said Mr. Hikapulwe.

And the named project implementing partners have pledged commitment to work with the Government to distribute the relief maize to the communities.