Sozavo’s food parcels have shrunk: “A growing number of people need this aid”

Dozens of people on Monday stood impatiently in line at the regional office of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing (Sozavo) in Blauwgrond as they waited for a free food parcel. They noticed that the food parcels have become smaller and that several people who had presented themselves as poor people had stepped out of very expensive cars when they showed up at the regional office.

Each minute seemed like an hour to the less fortunate who became increasingly concerned about the taxi meter that was still running as they stood in line. One of the people who had taken a taxi to the regional office asked the taxi driver to kill the engine because it was not her turn yet and because she would not be able to pay a high bill.

The Sozavo Ministry hands out food parcels to the needy nationwide. Several people showed up early at the regional office on Monday. They had to wait several hours for the delivery truck to arrive. Dyanti Martopawiro, head of the regional office, told Times of Suriname that it was the third time that Sozanet food parcels had been handed out in Blauwgrond. She explained that the registration takes place at the regional office but that the main office selects the people. Martopawiro pointed out that the ministry aims at giving everybody who is on the list a food parcel.

Each food parcel reportedly contains 10 kilos of rice, a chicken, 1 liter of cooking oil, garlic, sardines, toothpaste, bath soap, brown beans, powdered milk, salt, toilet paper, sugar and peanut butter. One of the people who stood in line told Times of Suriname that the parcels are smaller now. He also pointed out that this time there was only one chicken in the parcel. “The parcel is also much lighter this time. I think that it is because of the financial situation. The goods are more expensive and a growing number of people need this aid,” said the man. The regional offices of the Sozavo Ministry handle the registration process and the distribution of the food parcels.