Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) Hichilema nearly stopped from donating to Lusaka flood victims

Hichilema nearly stopped from donating to Lusaka flood victims
Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 13:15

There was near confusion today when United Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema was nearly stopped from donating mealie meal to the flood victims at the camp near the independence stadium.

Zambia Red Cross officials based at the camp told Mr. Hichilema that he was supposed to follow procedure when making his donation. The official said that they were under strict directives not to allow people to donate items to the flood victims.

Sources,however, told QFM that the directives were coming from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) under the office of the vice president.

Mr. Hichilema expressed disappointment that government was trying to turn the camp into a military base.

He told journalists that it is a pity that government has been calling on the stakeholders to assist victims at the camp when on the other hand they are politicizing it.

Mr Hichilema maintained that he would not deliver the items to the DMMU but to the people at the camp site.

Zambia Red Cross Society secretary general Charles Mushitu who rushed to the camp later apologized for the confusion that occurred.

QFM

Labels: DMMU, FLOODS, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, RED CROSS

posted by MrK @ 4:17 PM