Relief for 8 000 households

GOVERNMENT has come to the rescue of about 8 000 food insecure households in Chipinge District after 400 metric tonnes of maize were availed.

The households were drawn from the district’s 30 rural wards.

This was announced at an emergency drought relief meeting held last weekend at the District Development Coordinator’s offices.

The meeting was attended by members of the district drought relief committee.

In an interview after the meeting, Assistant District Development Coordinator, Mr Teddius Beto said the food relief will be distributed to vulnerable households that are in dire need of food assistance.

“Government has availed an emergency drought relief package which will go towards assisting households that are in dire need of food aid across the district.

“We have directed the Department of Social Welfare to expedite the distribution process so that aid reaches the communities timeously.

“All the 30 rural wards in Chipinge will benefit from the package,” he said.

Chipinge District is experiencing food insecurity due to the poor rains received during the just-ended rain season.

“According to the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZIMVAC) report, about 38 percent of the total population in the district will be food insecure during the peak hunger period of January to March 2023,” said Mr Beto.

“As a district, we are grateful to Government for listening to our distress call and availing this relief aid.

‘‘The distress calls are high in rural wards, particularly in the valley (Chipinge South),” he added.