The Adventist and Relief Agency (ADRA), with financial support from the Christian Blind Mission (CBM) has distributed food items valued at about One Million Seven Hundred Thousand Kwacha to 600 flood-affected households in Mambwe District, Eastern province.
ADRA Zambia Country Director Kennedy Habasimbi, in a speech read on his behalf by the Organisation Programme Officer, Caroline Mwewa, during the distribution event said the intervention is part of the Disability Inclusive Flood Response Project.
He said natural disasters greatly impacted vulnerable populations like persons living with disabilities, old aged persons, women, children and families living in poverty.
Mr Habasimbi said that the humanitarian response was a deliberate effort designed to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most while protecting their dignity and promoting inclusion.
“This project is about restoring hope, strengthening resilience and ensuring that no one is left behind during emergencies,” he said.
He further expressed gratitude to the funder for their generous financial support and unwavering commitment to disability inclusive humanitarian action.
Beneficiary households received three months’ worth of food packages which included Mealie Meal, Beans and salt as well as essential non- food items such as blankets, hygiene kits.
Persons with Disabilities requiring additional support will also receive appropriate assistive devices.
Meanwhile, Mambwe District Commissioner (DC) Martha Mulenga implored the beneficiaries to strictly use the food items for household consumption.
“These food packages you are seeing have codes. If I find that you have started selling these items, you and I will not get along well,” she said.
And Ms Mulenga appreciated ADRA and its partners for supplementing government interventions in emergency situations while referring to the K1,695,000 support in relief items.
The DC observed that the good leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema was attracting partners like ADRA and CBM who were ready to step in and offer support when disasters strike.
And John Mutiya, a beneficiary commended ADRA for always offering support to vulnerable communities.
Mr Mutiya explained that ADRA does not only provide relief assistance, but also helps communities with survival projects like goat rearing and bee- keeping, among others, in order to help them sustain their livelihoods.
He also expressed gratitude to ADRA for its disability inclusivity policy.
