HUNGER HITS ZAMBEZI

HUNGER has hit Senior Chief Ndungu’s chiefdom in Zambezi.

This follows floods as a result of torrential rains which have destroyed crops.

In an interview with the Daily Nation, Senior Chief Ndungu of the Luvale-speaking people of Zambezi has appealed to government to send relief food.

The traditional leader said that crops such as maize and cassava have since been destroyed by the floods.

He disclosed that the only crop that may survive was paddy rice as it is water resistant.

"People here in the West Bank have nothing to lay their hands on because all their crops were destroyed by the floods the area has experienced, ' the traditional leader said. He said people were looking forward to government to come to their aid.

He also said the chiefdom was also hit by a shortage of safe drinking water.

"Soon we may start experiencing water borne diseases, so that's another area of concern,” he said

He disclosed that even the provision of services such as health and social cash transfer had been hampered because the pontoon had stopped operating.

"Besides that, the embankment which was done by the Zambia National Service has been washed away. And you may be aware that the district hospital which is a referral facility is in the East bank, this means that all complicated cases cannot be referred there because there is no road, “he said.

But Zambezi District Commissioner Lawrence Kayumba has assured the traditional leader that government would soon send relief food to the area.

He said his office was aware of the current situation adding that a report has since been sent to the office of the vice president for possible consideration.

"Infact today, officers from the office of the vice president will be in the area to ascertain the extent of the disaster," he said. He called for calmness among the people as government will soon come to their aid.