• MINISTER in the Office of the Vice-President Sylvia Chalikosa (second right) with Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit national coordinator Chanda Kabwe (right) and Southern Province Permanent Secretary Mwangala Liomba examine the wild fruits called chimpamba which the local people have been eating due to lack of food caused by drought in Monze as area District Commissioner Cyprian Haamanyanga (left) looks on during a tour of the area on Saturday. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
By SAM PHIRI in Southern Province –
HUNGER is looming high in most parts of Southern Province as a result of the drought which has hit the region, devastating maize and graving fields.
The situation has left the Government recalculating the amount of food aid to be given out this year.
Monze district, for instance, last recorded rain in December last year. Evidence of the absence of rain is clear to see; wilted, yellowing, stunted stalks. Even if there were to be a period of sustained rainfall, there would be no harvest to be expected.
Apart from the destroyed maize crop, the drought has also affected water sources of water and withered grazing fields.
