Food distribution will be transparent, non-partisan
THE El Niño weather phenomenon has left about 43 million people in need of food aid in the region. Estimates suggest that more than 2,7 million needed food assistance in the January to March period. The Government has already begun preparations to cushion those who might need help. Our reporter THESEUS SHAMBARE (TS) spoke to Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister JULY MOYO (JM) on the various interventions being implemented to protect vulnerable communities.
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TS: Given the potential for an El Niño-induced drought, how will the Food Deficit Mitigation Programme be adapted to meet the increased need for food assistance in Zimbabwe?
JM: During the period 2023 going into 2024, the peak hunger period (January to March), 2,7 million people were projected to need food assistance.
The Government is thus seized with ensuring that food reaches those in need. Currently, to ensure that no one dies of hunger, the Government is reaching out to approximately 2,3 million people in 56 districts, whilst the World Food Programme is in four districts, assisting about 300 000 people.
This is in response to the projections of the 2023 Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment report, which measured the 2022/2023 agricultural season.
Going forward, in response to the effects of the El Niño-induced drought, the Government continues to be guided by the upcoming ZimLAC (Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee) projections set to be released in June 2024. TS: What interventions are you going to make in the short term, before the report is issued in June? JM: Meanwhile, the Government will continue to assist the food-insecure population until the time the ZimLAC results are released. In addition, the Government is ready to continue responding to any distress calls that may be received from across the country, even before the release of the report.
TS: In previous years, there have been suggestions by opposition political parties that food distribution is conducted in line with political affiliation, with supporters of the ruling party being given preferential treatment. What is your response to this allegation?
JM: What we want to reiterate is that food distribution is and will never be partisan. The distribution is strictly based on food insecurity, with the elderly, persons with disabilities and orphans being our top priority.
TS: There have been delays in payments of school fees under the Government’s Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM). What are your plans for ensuring that vulnerable children get assistance to pursue their education?
JM: The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is collaboratively working with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion to ensure outstanding school fees arrears are settled. While efforts are being made to settle outstanding arrears, the ministry further engaged the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to ensure uninterrupted access to education by BEAM beneficiaries, in line with the Education Act (Chapter 25:04).
TS: How many learners are getting assistance under BEAM?
JM: BEAM targets 1,5 million children from the age of four years to 19 years in special schools, resource units and mainstream primary schools and secondary schools.
Currently, 1 515 023 beneficiaries are enrolled under the BEAM programme covering tuition, levies and examination fees to orphans and vulnerable children in need of educational assistance.
TS: There has been an influx of children on the streets. What plans does the Government have to protect them from social vices like drug abuse and sexual manipulation?
JM: To begin with, we have made it public that the word “street kid” is no longer acceptable to describe them. We consider it derogatory, stigmatising and child-unfriendly. The child-friendly term is “children living and working on the streets”.
From that, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has programmes in place aimed at ensuring children are provided with care and support as preventive and responsive mechanisms to mitigate exposure to harmful living conditions.
The programmes are funded under a dedicated “Children on the Streets Fund”, which was established for the purpose of identifying children on the streets, rehabilitation, tracing and reunification with families/relatives and placement in alternative care centres for those without known relatives.
TS: How do you assist those who have unhealthy behavioural patterns?
JM: Those who require behaviour modification are placed in rehabilitation facilities such as the Percy Northcote Training Institute just outside Harare; the Mutare Probation Hostel in Manicaland; and the Ibbotson Training Institute in Luveve, Bulawayo, for females; among other institutions.
Those who have challenges with substance use disorders undergo treatment at health facilities across the country. Reintegration support is provided through established psychosocial support centres in Harare and Bulawayo.