THE Government has distributed over 3 000 tonnes of grain to over 800 000 people who are food insecure.
This has been done under the Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy (FDMS).
Registered beneficiaries receive 10 kilogrammes of grain each every month.
More than $9 billion has been set aside for the programme, which is expected to benefit an estimated 3,8 million people between October 2022 and March this year.
More than 30 000 tonnes of grain will be distributed as food aid over six months.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima said the distribution of food aid was ongoing countrywide.
“The distribution is being done in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and its implementing partners, with the Government covering 52 districts, while WFP covers eight districts.
“A combined total of 871 741 food-insecure people have benefitted under the two assistance programmes, with the number expected to increase as the month progresses,” Prof Mavima said.
“The distribution has been anchored in the availability of grain at the respective Grain Marketing Board depots, as well as timeous release of funds for the FDMS by Treasury.”
The late onset of the rains, coupled with a mid-season dry spell during the 2021/2022 summer cropping season, badly affected grain production, resulting in low yields.
According to the 2022 Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee report, about 3,8 million people will be food insecure at the peak of the lean season; between January and March 2023.
In a separate interview, director of social development in the Ministry Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Mr Tawanda Zimhunga said: “The ministry migrated to electronic targeting and registration of beneficiaries in line with the adoption of e-governance.
“The electronic database is running concurrently with the manual so as to ensure that food is moved expeditiously.”
WFP country representative Ms Francesca Erdelmann said her organisation and its implementing partners will continue to support the national programme.
“We have been working with the Government of Zimbabwe for the past 20 years and have learnt, grown and developed this programme together.” – The Sunday Mail
