Zambia Thanks Tanzania for Lifesaving Maize Support During Drought Crisis
Zambia’s Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has extended heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of Tanzania for their swift and critical maize supply during the country’s recent drought-induced food crisis.
The acknowledgment was made during a joint press briefing held at the Sumbawanga offices of Tanzania’s National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA).
Speaking at the event, FRA Acting Executive Director Justine Chuunka hailed Tanzania’s support as timely, selfless, and instrumental in averting widespread hunger in Zambia’s most affected regions.
He praised the efficiency of the maize transportation process and lauded NFRA’s collaboration, which ensured smooth cross-border delivery at a time when Zambia faced a looming food emergency.
“We would also like to extend thanks to Tanzania’s National Food Reserve Agency for its collaboration, which facilitated the smooth and prompt transportation of maize across the border,” Mr. Chuunka said, adding that Zambia would not hesitate to seek Tanzania’s support again in future climate-related crises.
The response, part of a government-to-government maize agreement, saw Tanzania provide 195,000 metric tons of maize to Zambia. The deal is being viewed as a model of regional cooperation in Africa.
Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) Director of Disaster Humanitarian Operations Management, Amos Mumba, emphasized the logistical coordination involved and described Tanzania’s action as that of a true partner.
“Tanzania responded not just as a neighbor, but as a brother,” Mumba remarked, noting that the effort had strengthened institutional cooperation between the two nations.
NFRA Director of Marketing Mikalu Mapunda commended the professionalism of both Tanzanian and Zambian teams, noting that the operation was executed without disciplinary incidents, while also expressing hope for expanded cross-border collaboration beyond emergency situations.
Rukwa Region Assistant Administrative Secretary for Economic and Productive Sectors, Salehe Msanda, echoed appreciation for the growing trust between the two countries and encouraged deeper economic ties going forward.
