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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke in UZUMBA
IN the wake of the El-Nino-induced drought, Government is stepping up the food distribution programme countrywide to assist millions of Zimbabweans facing hunger.
The initiative comes after a season of poor rains severely impacted crop yields, leaving many families struggling to put food on the table.
To address the widespread food insecurity, Government allocated 80 000 tonnes of maize for distribution across the country over the next two months.
On Thursday, hundreds of villagers in Uzumba gathered at Chomuzumba hall to receive part of the grain, under the Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy.
The villagers expressed gratitude to Government for ensuring that everyone in need received food aid.
Mr Andrew Ndide from Muyengwa village said the grain would go a long way in feeding his family and the community at large.
“This season has been bad and we have nothing. We had lost hope and I am happy that the Government has remembered us and sent this food our way,” he said.
Another villager, Mrs Mildred Edias, from Chausa village, said she had a big family which she has been struggling to support.
“We used to survive from our fields and gardens but because there was no water to irrigate, even the gardens did not yield anything this year. I have a family of five including one person with a disability, so for me to go out and seek part time employment to sustain them has not been possible.
“I am happy that the Government has come up with this programme which I believe will go a long way to alleviate the challenges that my family is facing,” she said.
The Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy is informed by the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee’s (ZimLAC) annual Rural and Urban Livelihoods Assessment Reports. It is part of efforts by Government to ensure that no one goes hungry.
Ward 9 Councillor, Mr Shutmore Bvumbwe, also expressed appreciation for the programme which he said had come at an opportune time.
“This programme is moving well and we are happy that it is coming consistently. Last month we received some grain and this is the second time that our people are getting food. Government has really come through for us and I am sure that everyone will benefit,” he said.
Chief Tonderai Nyajinha said it was imperative for the food to be distributed fairly.
“In previous years, even when the rainfall season was bad, some of our communities would have some food. But this time around everyone was affected. People are getting food now and we are happy about that. What we are trying to do now is to make sure that everyone has access to food. As Chiefs, we have to make sure that no one is left behind and there is no discrimination in the distribution of food,” he said.
According to the 2024 Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) Urban Livelihoods and Nutrition Assessment Report, at least 35 percent of the urban population (1,7 million people) are likely to be food insecure this season while another six million face the same fate in the rural areas.
A Rural Livelihoods Assessment is currently ongoing countrywide to establish the extent to which the drought has affected the people while also indicating the exact location of those severely affected.
A state of disaster was declared last month and the Government has since launched a US$3,3 billion appeal for domestic and international assistance to mitigate the effects of the drought while also building community resilience.
Online Reporter