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Pamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
THE southern parts of the country reportedly have the highest proportions of food insecure households with about 40 percent of families in Matabeleland North failing to get enough food.According to the 2013 Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVac) report, Matabeleland North province constitutes more than 40 percent while 32 percent of people in Matabeleland South come from food insecure households.
Government has however started working on drought relief strategies to mitigate the perennial dry spells that the country has been experiencing for a number of years.
The report indicates that prevalence of food insecurity increased in all provinces with Matabeleland North, South and Masvingo provinces mostly affected.
Matabeleland North (40,3 percent), Matabeleland South (32 percent), Midlands (30,7 percent) and Masvingo (32,7 percent) were projected to have the highest proportions of food insecure households.
The proportions in the four provinces are higher than the national average of 24,9 percent. The most affected district is Zvishavane with 52 percent followed by Binga in Matabeleland North with 50 percent.
The least food insecurity prevalence is in Makonde District with only five percent and Mazowe District with seven percent. The report attributed the development to erratic rainfall patterns during the 2012/13 rainfall season in some parts of the affected provinces.
High grain and maize meal prices in the provinces also had a significant influence on the outcome. Mashonaland West (13 percent) and Mashonaland East at (17 percent) were projected to have the least proportion of food insecure households.
The report recommended that resources urgently need to be mobilised to address the immediate food insecurity problem, while preparations to deal with the increased problem later in the consumption year are stepped up.
Given that the highest prevalence of food security was recorded in Matabeleland North and South and Masvingo, the provinces must be prioritised in interventions to improve household food and nutrition security.
The report concludes that it is imperative to ensure that the markets have adequate food for those with sufficient incomes to buy, as more than 60 percent of the people will have to rely on the market to meet their food needs.
Speaking in separate interviews yesterday, Ministers of State for Matabeleland North and South provinces confirmed that the situation in their provinces was gloomy, saying the Government has already moved to ensure that families that are facing serious shortages receive food aid.
The Minister of State for Matabeleland South, Cde Abednico Ncube, said the province had already started distributing food to the drought stricken areas in the province.
“We have started distributing maize from the Government to the people and we are expecting more food aid from the Grain Marketing Board where all the districts are expected to benefit.
“I want to assure the people of Matabeleland South that no one will starve because the Government is concerned about their welfare,” said Minister Ncube.
He said President Mugabe had assigned relevant ministries to focus on alleviating hunger in the country.
“President Mugabe has instructed relevant ministries to identify the worst hit districts and make sure that they receive food aid.
“The distribution is an ongoing process that will only stop when people have enough food,” said Minister Ncube.
The Minister of State for Matabeleland North Province Cain Mathema said food security and nutrition will always be on the country’s agenda.
“The country has experienced erratic rains for the past two seasons and people have no food. The Government will, however, not let people starve. President Mugabe is concerned about his people and nobody will be left to starve.
“The country is importing maize from Zambia and Matabeleland North will obviously benefit from the distribution of the maize, which will be done through the usual channels,” said Minister Mathema.
Online Reporter