Group village head-woman Chipwaila, for example, told Zodiak Online this week that she has information that some people in Chipwaila, Mphungu and Therere villages in Ngabu area are in dire need of food.

“I have been receiving information that some people collapsed there and that others are showing signs of illness. All because they do not have food,” she said.

Village head Chipwaila says some people in her area now have solely depend on cooked pumpkin leaves.

She has since appealed to her subjects to share meals with those in need as a way of survival, while appealing to government and development well-wishers to help.

“The situation is not good. We have nothing although we have received rains. We ask government to provide food until we harvest,” explained Chipwaila.

Among the first responders to the situation, parliamentarian for Chikwawa Nkombezi, Abida Mia, has made donation of some food to some 2500 households.

Mia said the situation required concerted effort to ensure that people are safe pledging to make more food donations in the area soon.

Meanwhile, the MP is offering vocational skills programs such as tailoring, cooking, driving and promoting girl child education as long term measures to economically empower people so that they diversify their means of access to social amenities.

Chikwawa District Commissioner, Ali Phiri, says government will resume food distribution in the district early February.