Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
Government has intensified food distribution in rural areas, allaying fears of possible shortages.
Speaking during a food deficit mitigation strategy meeting held in Masvingo this Thursday, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honourable July Moyo assured communities that they will continue working with traditional leaders to ensure all vulnerable communities get food assistance.
“As we distribute food aid to vulnerable communities, we are using the community-based selection criteria which is proving to be effective in ensuring the vulnerable benefit from government’s food aid programme. As the Grain Marketing Board has assured you, we have got enough stocks in the country right now to distribute throughout the country,” he said.
Communities in Masvingo province are benefitting from various government intervention programmes meant to cushion them against the El Nino-induced drought.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira said, “As a province, we are privileged that we continue to benefit from various programs by the government meant to ensure food security. The food aid distribution programme is going on in all our districts.”
The World Food Programme (WFP) pledged to work with the government to ensure food security with more than 260 000 people benefitting from WFP’s food assistance programme from January to March this year.
“The generous support from our donors saw WFPA giving food assistance to 264 000 people in four districts of the country which are Mangwe, Chivi, Mwenezi and Buhera. This intervention was made possible through working in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare,” said WFP’s head of programme, Ms Nina Beretta Piccoli.
The government is on record assuring communities that despite the current El Nino-induced drought, no one will die of hunger hence several strategies are being implemented.
