BY STAFF REPORTER
As the hunger crisis deepen, Members of Parliament are calling for an urgent overhaul of the maize distribution system, advocating for every household to receive a fair share of the limited maize available.
They argued that the current system, which prioritizes the most needy households, is inadequate in addressing the scale of the crisis.
“I strongly believe that maize allocation should be given to every household.” said MP for Chikanga Lynette Karenyi.
“It shows that in rural as well as in urban areas, people are starving. So, it means that when one person goes with six bags, others get nothing.
“It’s better to give one bag per household than six bags to one household. This way, everyone benefits, and no one is left behind.”
Mercy Dinha, the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, responded, “I understand your concern, Hon. Karenyi, but the current criteria are gazetted by the Government, so if that has to be changed, it means government has to sit down to change that system and ensure that everyone benefits and ensure each household gets a bag of maize. But at the moment, we are following the laid down procedure.”
Karenyi pressed on, “But, Hon. Minister, the fact remains that everyone is starving. Why not reconsider the allocation method? Give every household a chance to receive maize, rather than concentrating it in a few households.”
The government allocates maize to the most needy households, and each person receives 7.5 kgs per month.
As the debate continued, the MPs’ words echoed the desperation of a nation on the edge, pleading for a fairer distribution of maize to alleviate the suffering of the hungry.
There were also concerns about the late distribution, Dinha responded, “I think right now the maize that we have been distributing is for May, June and July.” she said.
“The distribution process will end in July. It was for those three months. If we say May we rush and distribute, June or July, the transport cost as well as administration cost become more. We realise that if we give them maize for three months, it will be good, it reduces costs especially for transport as well as administration and ensuring that people do not travel up and down to receive the maize. At the moment, the allocations were for May, June and July.”
The food aid program is expected to end in March next year, but many families have been left without access to basic food necessities due to the El Nino phenomenon experienced in the past farming season.