Govt acts on food insecurity

Chief Reporter
Food distribution and cash grants in districts that harvested low maize yields last season go full throttle this week with authorities securing 112 000 tonnes of grain – enough to last through to the next harvest.
President Mugabe has in recent months kept food security and hunger eradication uppermost on his Cabinet’s agenda.
Zimbabwe was hit by drought in the 2014/15 farming season, with the staple maize crop in several districts written-off.
At least 1,5 million people —mostly in rural areas — require food assistance, with Matabeleland North and South and Masvingo hardest hit.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira said eligible individuals would get 50kg of maize and US$20 monthly under a voucher system authorities are running with the Grain Marketing Board.
Government and its partners sourced 45 000 of the available tonnage, with NGOs providing the balance.
“The President has been very particular about this issue. He makes sure grain distribution to the vulnerable is top on the agenda of Cabinet every week.
“He has very keen interest on these issues and does not relent in asking about them at each Cabinet sitting. Soon after introductions, the first thing he asks is, ‘Are the people not hungry?’”
She added, “As Government, it is our social responsibility to look after our people and ensure no one dies of hunger. We are a responsive Government, and are aware of all issues affecting the people; like climate change, drought and other factors leading to poor harvests.
“As such, it is incumbent upon us to ensure we have the essential foods that the people require. Voucher distribution has started, and (this week), people will begin collecting their maize from GMB depots.”
World Food Programme spokesperson Mr Tinashe Mubaira said, “WFP is looking at reaching some 407 000 people with food assistance by the end of 2015, and is also scaling up its response to some 856 000 people at the height of the lean season.
“Its activities are being integrated as far as possible with resilience building activities such as the rehabilitation and creation of small dams, dip tanks and nutrition gardens, which are part of our Food for Assets Programme – designed to build community resilience against climate-related shocks in the future.”
WFP is working with Government, alongside Christian Care and World Vision, among others.