Traditional authority Nkoola says the food crisis that has hit the area has reached alarming levels and has called for more food support to rescue people who are even fainting of hunger.
“Government has assisted us with 1,200 bags of rice and other partners have also responded by providing relief food to some families, but the problem is still there since the number of people that have no food is higher,” said the T/A adding “The area has a total population of over 50 thousand people from 16 thousand households but so far less than 2,000 house-holds have been reached with food assistance”.
Gogo Mary Injesi from the area also said the food crisis is putting lives of people in danger as it has already started affecting their health calling on institutions and individuals to continue supporting.
Meanwhile Zanzibar University Muslim Graduates Association, ZUMGA with support from Fargo Limited and contributions from members has assisted 140 hunger stricken families from TA Nkoola area with 25 kilogram bags of maize flour among other food items to each of the families.
ZUMGA chairperson for Blantyre chapter, Daniel Kamanga, said the donation is aimed at alleviating the sufferings the people are going through but urged everyone to assist with the little they can manage saying the situation remain bad.
Machinga district council spokesperson Patrick Ndawala confirmed many areas including TA Nkooola, Sitola and Mchinguza have been faced with hunger but said no person has died of the same.