Food aid registration underway

Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter

Two provinces have already submitted lists of people in need of food aid while eight are finalising registration to help identify everyone in need of assistance.

In the wake of the El Nino-induced drought, Government has assured the nation that no one will starve with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Mr Simon Masanga saying there is enough grain on the ground to assist everyone in need of food.

“Registration is going on in other provinces. It was finished in Mashonaland West and Matabeleland South. We want to increase the number of beneficiaries, plans are now in place but the situation is not bad at all because there are some places where farmers are expected to have decent harvests, according to a report released by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.

“There is no need to panic because we are dispatching mealie-meal, flour and maize to areas that need urgent attention. Right now, we are in Mbire, and we are also planning to send food aid to Chingwizi. Recently we were in Matabeleland North in Tsholotsho and we were also in Buhera,” he said.

Mr Masanga said Government will promptly respond to areas that need urgent food aid.

“Once we receive money from Treasury, we will embark on a countrywide distribution of food. Please report to the nearest authorities if there is hunger in your area,” he said.

The Agriculture and Rural Development Advisory Service has indicated that each beneficiary will receive 7,5kg of grain up to September then 8,5kg per beneficiary thereafter to March 2025.

Under the programme, able-bodied beneficiaries will partake in a food-for-work programme.

Under the Zunde RaMambo programme, each chief will be allocated five tonnes of grain to distribute to every ward.

Chiefs will work with their headmen to ensure food aid is closer to the people.

Since last year, the Government has been feeding about 2,7 million vulnerable groups at household level, however, the new strategy is to target individuals.