US$11,3m food assistance for vulnerable families

THE World Food Programme will be helping 230 000 Zimbabwean families with basic food and cooking oil between this month and March using funding of US$11,3 million from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The programme is part of WFP Zimbabwe’s goal to ensure that everyone in the country has access to a variety of nutritious foods and consumes the recommended amounts. Estimates show that around 2,7 million people will require some food assistance before the next harvest, with the Zimbabwe Government and WFP working to ensure they are helped.

The food in the USAID-funded scheme comprised 224 tonnes of cooking oil, 2 900 tonnes of sorghum and 300 tonnes of white maize, and each person is set to receive 8.5kg of grains, 1,7kg of pulses and 0,6kg of cooking oil during each distribution free of charge.

Speaking at the launch of the humanitarian assistance programme WFP country director Ms Francesca Erdelmann said the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) report warned that 2,7 million people would not have enough cereals to eat during this first quarter of 2024.

Ms Erdelmann said this year’s lean season coincides with the El Niño where Zimbabwe is facing erratic rainfall and high temperatures meaning there could be lower production and further increasing food insecurity.

“This assistance is critical for many people across the country and we appreciate USAID’s US$11,3 million contribution on behalf of the American people as we seek to support families in Zimbabwe,” she said. ◆ Full story on www.herald.co.zw