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Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
Zimbabweans have welcomed the Government’s decision to declare food shortage in the country a state of disaster, saying that there is a need for strategic relief food distribution to ensure every qualifying household is helped.
President Mnangagwa made the declaration on Wednesday and this makes way for relief agencies to put in place measures for people who are in need of food aid.
Mrs Tanatswa Muchenje of Muzarabani said grain support is critical at this stage for many, noting that the majority of farming families failed to harvest enough grain or meaningful grain this season.
“We are sure that this announcement will trigger more helpers to chip in and assist the country. We failed to have any meaningful harvest,”she said.
Ms Yeukai Mapanzure of Shurugwi said it is critical for the Government to ensure that food aid distribution is done in a strategic manner and ensure that relevant beneficiaries are targeted.
“What is important is to ensure that relevant people get food aid. We do not want scenarios where people are manipulated or abused in order to get food aid. We are therefore appealing to authorities to introduce measures that will ensure that anyone who is caught on the wrong side will be arrested,”she said.
Mr Taungana Zvauya of Mbire hailed the move. “This shows the Government’s commitment towards its citizens. The decision will allow the nation to receive more donations from other countries. When distributing the food to the vulnerable, responsible authorities should ensure that proper procedures are followed. Food should be distributed fairly without considering people’s differences and grudges,” he said.
Mr Allan Gumbo of Karoi said several places are food insecure .
“This year’s disaster should not be blamed on anyone. Droughts can occur and it is not the first time to encounter this problem in the region. We are grateful for the decision made by our Government to declare it a disaster so that we get help from other countries which are food self-sufficient. There is a need to cooperate and ensure that the food aid is received by the actual beneficiaries,” he said.
The current agricultural season was hammered by the El Nino drought causing 80 percent of the country to receive below normal rainfall, and many areas well below normal.
The Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) holds 189 568 tonnes of cereals. This constitutes 145 604 tonnes of maize and 43 964 tonnes of traditional grains with the carry-over stocks of 138 905 tonnes of surplus wheat to be added bringing the reserve to 356 000 tonnes of cereals.
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