Thousands of villagers in Mutoko yesterday were given
United States dollars to help them fight hunger during this lean season.
The programme dubbed Lean Season Assistance (LSA) is being
sponsored by the World Food Programme, USAID and United Kingdom’s DFID while the
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) are the coordinators. A total of
32 189 villagers from 19 wards were each given US$9 to buy food. About 4 100
beneficiaries were children under the age of five years who were also given
Super Cereal, a nutritious porridge.
One of the beneficiaries, Gretchen Katsande (48) from
Ndemere village said the programme would help reduce hunger and address the
problem of fluctuating food prices.
“We are happy that we have this programme in our area as it
will go a long way in ensuring food for my family. I have a family of four and
with $72 for two months I am certain that there will be enough food in the
house. The shop owners are charging exorbitant prices on groceries, but with
United States dollars we are assured of a fair price. I am grateful for the
honour from the sponsors,” she said.
The programme has been going on since the onset of the lean
season with each beneficiary getting $9 per month which is enough to meet
approximately 80% of daily food requirements.
An estimated 5,3 million people are in dire need of food
assistance with Mutoko district being one of the worst. The situation is set to
worsen following the El NiƱo weather pattern that resulted in massive crop
failure.
Ward 14 councillor Kuziva Majinga said this year there
would be massive food shortages, hence the need for food assistance.
“This year is terrible because villagers did not get
anything from the fields. We are grateful to have such kind of assistance in
this area. We all need food, and villagers are happy about it,” she said.
The cash-based assistance is meant to offer villagers an
opportunity to buy foodstuffs of their choice. Traditionally donors would
provide aid in the form of maize. Villagers are, however, still getting food
assistance in kind. Newsday
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