The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit has refuted media reports suggesting that the hunger situation has been declared a National disaster.
DMMU Communications Officer Rachael Chama says reports in some sections of the media, attributed to the Minister in the Office of the Vice President Olipah Phiri, describing the hunger situation being experienced in some parts of the country as a national disaster are a misrepresentation of the Ministerial Statement issued to Parliament by the Minister and should not be condoned.
Ms Chama said Government in collaboration with various cooperating partners is doing everything possible to respond to the situation the best way it can and hence no need for such a declaration.
She has reiterated that the state of a national disaster can only be declared by the Republican President upon recommendation from the National Disaster Management Council of Ministers where a situation can not be handled in-country.
Ms Chama said that the Minister reiterated the call to all Members of Parliament to openly engage DMMU to ensure that the required relief reaches all the deserving households.
She said the Minister also urged the MPs to take advantage of the fact that they are members of the District Disaster Management Committees in their various constituencies, to ensure smooth implementation of the relief program.
Ms Chama said Government is aware of schemes by some Civil Society Organizations and politicians, working with some international organizations to discredit and undermine government works in responding to the matter.
She emphasize that relief distribution is not meant to replace people’s coping capacities but is purely meant to supplement local abilities of sustenance and strengthening their resilience and vulnerability.
Ms Chama said the Unit is guided by four principles namely; humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence in the execution of all humanitarian programs.
Where are UNZA students when we need them most to fight hunger
When you want to ascend to the pinnacle of power through stolen money and deceit and not skill and likability, it is disingenuous of you to be a leader.
With all due respect, does anyone expect the people in the picture to understad the real meaning of hunger? They look full and satisfied
With all due respect, does anyone expect the people in the picture to understand the real meaning of hunger? They look full and satisfied
Why some sections of society force the government to declare HUNGER NATIONAL DISASTER when even countries that ASKING for assistance of maize from Zambia have NEVER declared NATIONAL DISASTER in their respective countries….?
Let’s compare reality with neighboring countries.
Even in PANAMA, I don’t expect people there to H-understand the real meaning of hunger.
According to PF definition of hunger disaster – a hunger disaster is when someone has died of hunger (PS Kasolo). Surely, do we need people to die first before we do the wise thing? PF does not understand that the idea behind a disaster declaration is not because people are hungry or dying but to mobilize resources to mitigate or lessen the impact of an impending crisis! Otherwise Why has UK released relief funds if there is no impending disaster? The former UK Ambassador has equally done a great job by helping to override PF politics! DMMU is wasting time by trying to follow PF rhetoric! But we know why PF can’t declare hunger a national disaster! It will be self incrimination to PF for having mismanaged the Agricultural sector by taking away FISP and prematurely exporting the little…
It will be self incrimination to PF for having mismanaged the Agricultural sector by taking away FISP and prematurely exporting the little grain! PF is just too proud for nothing! It’s easy for PF to play down the situation on the ground because PF MPs are in Lusaka and will only visit their people during elections. Those whose Rectums are full should not play down the hunger others are going through! Let’s do what the UK Ambassador told us! Zambia is not the only country facing the impending famine problem! The earlier we stock up the better! Anyway it’s pointless to redeclare what someone wise has declared and the donor community is already responding! That’s the leadership Zambia needs!