Vusumuzi Dube
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
OVER 68 000 metric tonnes have been distributed under the second phase of the Blitz Grain Distribution programme to vulnerable and food insecure people around the country to ensure Zimbabweans are food secure.
Cabinet on Tuesday received and noted the Report on the Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy, Urban Cash Transfer Programme and Movement of Grain, as presented by the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, July Moyo.
In his post-Cabinet briefing yesterday Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere said all chiefs were allocated five metric tonnes per ward to assist families in distress.
“As at 26 September 2024, a cumulative total of 68 745.72 metric tonnes had been moved across the country under the second phase of the Blitz Grain Distribution programme. Meanwhile, all chiefs were allocated five metric tonnes per ward to assist families in distress despite the general allocation given to El Nino-induced drought-affected persons,” he said.
“As of 26 September 2024, a cumulative total of 9 605.95 metric tonnes of mealie-meal or maize grain had been collected under the Emergency School Feeding Programme. The Urban-Cash-for-Cereal Programme is progressing well and it is expected that the generality of the population will start receiving cash transfers.”
The programme follows a report by the Zimbabwe Livelihood Assessment Committee (Zimlac), which revealed that 41 percent of the urban population is food insecure due to the drought’s devastating effects on agriculture and water resources.
This programme aims to provide financial assistance to urban residents, allowing them to purchase essential food items and cushion them against the harsh impacts of the drought. Following the El Niño-induced drought, which resulted in below-normal rainfall, many people have become food insecure.
Bongani Ndlovu