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Freedom Mupanedemo-Midlands Bureau
THE Government has started moving grain to rural areas across the Midlands Province to cushion villagers from the El-Nino-induced drought.
Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Owen Ncube said the food will be distributed under the Zunde raMambo/Isiphala SeNkosi and Social Welfare.
He said the distribution of food aid has begun in areas severely affected by drought.
This follows the completion of the household-based village-coordinated rapid vulnerability assessment and the urban food and nutrition council assessment which indicated that close to 60 percent of the population is in dire need of food aid.
President Mnangagwa in April declared a state of disaster due to an El Nino-induced drought threatening food security in the country saying the current agricultural season of 2023/2024 has not performed according to expectations.
He noted that it was the Government’s responsibility to feed everyone who needs food between now and March 2025.
The country currently has about 744 270 tonnes of grain in strategic reserves.
Addressing the Zanu PF Gokwe South Inter District Coordinating Committee meeting at Gokwe town centre, Minister Ncube warned beneficiaries against double-dipping.
“Movement of food aid has started in the province; it is on-going as we speak. We have two sources of food aid, namely Zunde raMambo/ Isiphala SeNkosi and Social Welfare. If you collect your food aid from Isiphala SeNkosi, please you won’t be eligible to collect grain from Social Welfare and vice versa. We want everyone to benefit,” he said.
Meanwhile, 60 tonnes of maize was recently delivered to traditional leaders in Shurugwi district as part of the food relief programme.
The traditional leaders will be assisted by the District Development Coordinator (DDC) in the distribution.
“This programme aims to support the most vulnerable members of the community, including the less privileged, elderly, persons with disabilities, child-headed families, and the chronically ill. President Mnangagwa declared the current El Niño-induced drought a national disaster,” he said.
Shurugwi DDC Mr Romeo Shangwa said Government was working flat out to make sure no one dies of hunger.
“President Mnangagwa directed the decentralisation of grains to the chiefs and it’s your duty to ensure that the food aid is evenly distributed to the vulnerable members in your villages,” he said.
Chief Banga welcomed the programme and suggested that some of the maize should be distributed to headmen for easier collection by those in need.
“This relief initiative underscores the Government’s commitment to addressing the immediate food security needs of the most vulnerable populations in the wake of the severe drought conditions affecting our communities and we commend the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa for coming in at the right time to feed the people in need of food aid,” he said.
Online Reporter