By Burnett Munthali
On Thursday, November 7, 2024, His Excellency President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika and First Lady Prof. Gertrude Mutharika led a food distribution ceremony in the Chikweo area of Machinga district, where severe food shortages have left many families struggling to survive.
In recent months, distressing reports of starvation and heartbreaking images have emerged from this area, depicting families resorting to wild roots, mangoes, and other foraged items in the absence of adequate food supplies. Alarmed by the worsening crisis, President Mutharika said that, as a leader and a concerned citizen, he felt compelled to act.
Speaking at Mwakwera FP ground, the President expressed deep empathy for the affected communities, highlighting that Machinga’s escalating hunger crisis moved him to organize an immediate response to provide food relief. “As a leader, it is my duty to respond when our people face such hardships, especially when lives are at risk,” he remarked.
The relief packages distributed included maize flour, soap, cooking oil, sugar, and essential food items, offering some relief to families in dire need.
Several senior party members, including the DPP’s Deputy Leader for the Eastern Region, Honorable Bright Msaka, and the party’s Campaign Director, Honorable Makande, attended the event. Their presence emphasized the party’s support for the Machinga community during this difficult time.
The President’s arrival at Mwakwera FP ground brought a sense of hope to the crowd gathered for the ceremony, as they witnessed tangible support reaching the people most affected by the food crisis.
