Urban areas to benefit food aid programme, govt sa...

Urban areas to benefit food aid programme, govt says

Zim Now Writer

The government has confirmed the extension of the food aid programme to urban areas following the completion of the assessment process, as government moves to ensure the provision of food aid to all people in the country regardless of their location.

The remarks came through the Skills Audit and Development Minister, Professor Paul Mavima in a question-and-answer session in Parliament on Wednesday, with the Acting Leader of the House denying reports of grain scarcity in the country’s storage facilities.

In his answer to questions from a legislator, Prof Mavima said that the government is committed to ensuring the involvement of every person in need of food aid as the country battles effects of a drought-stricken season that has invoked Treasury to mobilise resources to buy grain in order to counter the anticipated deficit.

“We have started in the rural areas because the process of assessing the situation in those areas has been completed. We have heard that the process in the urban areas has also been completed but we are yet to get the report. The idea is not to leave anyone or place behind. Every Zimbabwean who deserves food aid will get it.”

The professor refuted claims of scarcity of grain in the country’s silos, noting that they are working with private players who have their own reserves and are able to continue importing to meet the demand.

“We are currently distributing grain from the Grain Strategic Reserves. There is definitely grain in our Strategic reserves. Private players are holding grain for their own purposes. Government has allowed private millers to import grain anticipation of the drought and they will continue to import for their own purposes,” Prof Mavima added.

Zimbabwe has been faced with the El Nino drought that has also affected neighbouring states in the region.