The Sunday Mail
Lincoln Towindo
Thousands of Zimbabweans in urban areas will benefit from Government’s food for work Programme, with US$1 million sourced from India going to this and other relief initiatives. In the past, the programme mainly targeted rural folk, but the two-pronged imperative of feeding the needy and community development has seen urban dwellers brought aboard. Harare and Bulawayo are the latest beneficiaries, and recipients of food packages are supposed to help develop infrastructure such as roads, clinics and schools.
Eligible households — those headed by the elderly, disabled or children — that register with the Public Assistance and Harmonised Social Cash Transfer will each receive 50kg of grain monthly. The able-bodied will be thrown into the mix once modalities have been finalised.
The Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Ministry is overseeing the initiative, which also has the Food and Nutrition Council checking which urban centres require similar assistance.
Public Service Minister Prisca Mupfumira told The Sunday Mail, “The food for work programme is going on very well in all rural provinces, and we are now moving to metropolitan provinces, also coming up with programmes for the able-bodied in urban areas.
“We are targeting rehabilitating roads, clinics, community halls and any other public infrastructure used by the community. Already, the leaderships of the respective areas are working to identify key projects.”
Minister Mupfumira also said, “Harare province has finally resolved its logistical problems, and has started distributing its allocation for August. Meanwhile, Bulawayo has completed distributing its allocation for July and is about to start distribution for this month.
“Cumulatively, up to August 3, we have delivered 200 155,72 metric tonnes of grain countrywide. The Grain Marketing Board stock balance stands at 203 244 metric tonnes as at August, which is enough to cover us for the next five months.
“Where there are challenges emanating from shortage of grain bags, we are now asking beneficiaries to return bags to the GMB so that we won’t have similar challenges going forward. The GMB will select the usable bags, and refill them so that we don’t delay grain distribution.
“Some of the financial challenges will be addressed following the release of US$1 million by the government of India (last week) in response to our domestic and international appeal for assistance. Matabeleland South province will be prioritised when the funds are transferred during the coming week.”
Most of Zimbabwe’s districts are grappling with food shortage following a debilitating drought hit Southern Africa in 2015/16, leaving communities with little or no harvests.
Government appealed for relief worth US$1,6 billion and has been importing grain to feed the needy, with 600 000-plus vulnerable households each receiving 50kg monthly.
The appeal covers food importation, safe water supply, feeding children, irrigation infrastructure rehabilitation, livestock support and de-stocking and wildlife relief.
The latest Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee report projects 820 000 households (roughly 4,1 million people) will not have adequate means to meet food requirements in the last quarter of 2016/17.
