Chongwe. Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo has assured residents in the constituency that the government will ensure that households affected by hunger are provided with relief food as directed by President Hakainde Hichilema.

Speaking when she addressed residents of Njolwe ward at a community meeting, Ms. Masebo said government will not neglect any household that will be found to be experiencing hunger this year.

Ms. Masebo, who is also Minister of Health, said government acknowledges the challenges that have resulted from the drought such as hunger but that the government is implementing a number of measures to mitigate the challenges.

She indicated the sale of maize by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to members of the public as one the measures being done to cushion the situation.

Ms. Masebo said emergency relief food will also be distributed to households that are registered as beneficiaries of the social cash transfer scheme as well those that will be identified to be vulnerable to hunger.

“Your government has done an assessment and acknowledged that most fields in the country have been destroyed due to the drought we are experiencing. We will ensure that people do not die of hunger as we have already put measures in place to respond to the challenge of lack of food in the area,” Ms. Masebo said.

Ms Masebo also emphasised the need for residents to start replenishing forest areas where trees have depleted due to illicit cutting down of trees for charcoal.

Ms. Masebo noted that it is important for everyone in the constituency to plant trees and avert the effects of climate change which has negatively affected the livelihood of people in the area.

Meanwhile, traditional leaders who attended the meeting thanked the government for coming to the aid of residents amidst the drought situation.

Headwoman Mubambo who spoke on behalf of the traditional leaders said the response by the government to address the hunger situation is a demonstration of the government’s commitment towards safeguarding the lives of its citizens. 

Headwoman Mubambo also commended Ms. Masebo for showing good leadership by fostering development in the district.

“We are so grateful for the work that you are doing as our Member of Parliament and daughter of the soil. We thank you for always taking time to address our concerns and fostering development in our area,” Headwoman Mubambo said.