We
are all affected by AIDS pandemicLocal News Up-Date, March 22, 2008
Hunger hits Moomba constituency
By Vincent Nchimunya Jnr
People of Moomba Constituency in chief Chona have resorted to eating wild roots due to hunger that has hit the area following floods experienced in the area.
Speaking to Chikuni Radio, village headman Chikuni, Makumba Simuuluka said all the fields where people expected to harvest were swept away hence people have opted for wild foods for survival.
Mr Simuuluka said the wild roots are not good for people’s health for they are poisonous and people risk their lives if this situation is not brought under control.
Another resident of Chikuni Village, Judith Lunganda, a care giver and a mother of six said the wild roots have to be boiled for many hours before they are ready for consumption.
Meanwhile, Germany based Kindernothilfe Foundation donated food stuffs to Chikuni Parish which are being distributed to the Children under Chikuni Parish Home Based Care and Children learning at Taonga who are not supported by World Food Programme that is providing food stuffs to selected children for taking home.
The food stuffs are to enhance the learning environment in Taonga Schools where hunger has hindered most children from attending Taonga lessons.
Monze DC calls for more satellite committees
By Wellingtone Moyo
A senior Government official in Monze District of the Southern Province has appealed to the people affected by floods in the district to form satellite committees in order to help assess the extent of the floods in their respective areas.
Speaking in an interview with Radio Chikuni Monze District Commissioner Joyce Nondo said satellite committees play a very important role in various communities.
She said once the communities form these satellite committees, it would be very easy for the Government to reach out to them through the reports which the committees would be bringing forward.
Mrs. Nondo said Government cannot manage to access each and every individual affected by the floods hence the need for people to come up with groups or satellite committees which would be a major tool in compiling the effects of the floods in district.
She said the well wishers and Government can easily identify the needs of the community once these groupings are implemented and this would also improve the quick delivery of flood relief to the affected individuals.
Developmental Projects stall due to hunger – Maambo ward
By Mainda Civic Mukuwa
A civic leader in Chief Hamaundu’s area in Choma District in Southern Province says most developmental projects have stalled in Maambo ward due to hunger that is looming in the area.
Maambo Ward Publicity Secretary, Leonard Haabuuka said villagers in the ward spend most of the time looking for wild tubers and fruits to survive, making it difficult for them to meet for developmental purposes.
He said Maambo ward councilor, Robert Haandyaabantu recently donated pockets of cement to most schools in the area but the villagers are unable to start rehabilitating the schools due to hunger.
He said hungry people can not do any hard work hence the cry for help.
He appealed to Choma District Commissioner Mungoni Simulilika to answer the cries of the people to avert hunger induced deaths.
Keep Surroundings clean – Mazabuka council
By Robert Hara
Authorities at Mazabuka Municipal council have called on the people in Magoye in Chief Haanjalika’s area to keep their surroundings clean in line with the ‘Keep Zambia Clean’ campaign launched by government last year.
Magoye sub-centre chairperson Tsitsi Kamenda said the council put rubbish bins in most places in Magoye but people still throw dirt around posing a danger to people’s health.
She said it is for their own good that they use the bins to avoid an outbreak of disease.
She also called on Non Governmental organizations and health authorities to sensitise the people on the need to keep their surroundings clean.
