NEW: 71 000 tonnes for food-insecure households

Online Reporter

CLOSE to three million food-insecure people will start receiving food aid from the Government before the end of this month under the Food Deficit Mitigation Programme.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister July Moyo said the quantities are for distribution during the first quarter of the year.

At least 71 500 tonnes of cereals (maize, sorghum and millet) have been set aside as the Government steps up efforts to ensure every household is food secure.

A scientific assessment was carried out by the Food and Nutrition Council to ascertain the possible beneficiaries.

Minister Moyo said: “The assessment revealed that during the peak hunger period, between January and March 2024, about 2 715 717 people will be in need of food assistance.

“The provinces with the highest food insecurity levels are Matabeleland North (42 percent), down from 58 percent from the previous year, Mashonaland Central (31 percent) and Masvingo province (30 percent).

“The most affected districts being Binga (62 percent), Kariba (60 percent), Mt Darwin (57 percent), Umguza (54 percent), Mbire (53 percent) and Mangwe (50 percent).

“The Government then put measures in place to provide food assistance to the 26 percent food-insecure population. The distribution of food starts this January to the most affected households up to March 2024.”

The Government, Minister Moyo said, was prepared for the peak hunger period as it had enough resources.

“We have 71 500 tonnes which the Ministry of Agriculture, through the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), has already assured us, which is there for our distribution,” he said.

He said the grain will be distributed fairly throughout the 56 districts.

“Distribution will be done directly by the Government and in the four districts that we have identified to work with partners like World Food Programme and its cooperating partners.

“We will make sure that in both cases the distribution system must be the same. So, the structure of our distribution system is already captured in our drought mitigation systems.”

To make distribution easier in rural areas, Government will work with traditional leaders.