One million loaves of bread for vulnerable families
Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]
THE Innscor Africa Limited Group has pledged a donation of one million loaves of bread towards the vulnerable and food-insecure households as it joins hands with the Government and other partners in ensuring that no one starves.
Innscor group chairman, Mr Addington Chinake, announced the donation before President Mnangagwa and senior dignitaries who witnessed the official commissioning of the massive US$30 million Baker’s Inn factory.
He said his company was committed to complementing Government efforts in mitigating the effects of the El Nino-induced drought by donating one million loaves of bread to the vulnerable by the end of the next financial year.
This comes after President Mnangagwa recently declared this year’s farming season a disaster as most households could not reap anything from their fields due to severe drought.
The Government has since set in motion domestic and international appeals for Zimbabwe to obtain critical assistance in supporting both urban and rural dwellers reeling under the effects of drought experienced in the just-ended main summer cropping season, which has also affected the entire Southern Africa.
The declaration of the state of disaster in April made in terms of section 27(1) of the Civil Protection Act, covers the whole of Zimbabwe, both urban and rural.
This has triggered resource mobilisation efforts on a huge scale, targeting stakeholders that include those in the diaspora, the United Nations family, the international community and the private sector, among others.
Mr Chinake said the donation was part of the firm’s social responsibility to ensure that no one starves.
“As a manufacturer of a key strategic basic commodity, Baker’s Inn will ensure availability and affordability of all brands within the country despite the El Nino-induced drought, which you have declared a state of national disaster,” he said.
“In line with our social responsibility goals and Your Excellency’s principle that no one should go hungry, Baker’s Inn has made a commitment to donate one million loaves by the end of the next financial year towards vulnerable groups including here in Bulawayo where we provide bread to the prisons daily.”
Mr Chinake said the firm has taken measures to ensure food security.
“On a broader scale, given the food security issues arising from the drought, which you have declared a national disaster, we confirm that we as a group have taken measures to ensure that our nation will not starve by investing in various strategic raw materials for the food production and thereby complementing the efforts your Government in ensuring food security,” he added.
“We are here for the good of the nation and we are here for the long haul.”
Last week, the Government announced measures to provide food aid to 7,7 million people in urban and rural areas due to the severe drought.
The Government has also supported the winter cropping season to address the impact of climate change-induced drought.
Urban residents will receive cash transfers for mealie-meal supplies, with measures in place to prevent price inflation, keeping mealie-meal at US$6,50 for 10kg.
Rural residents will receive 22,5kg of maize per person for three months, with an additional supply in the fourth month. For winter cereals production, power, water, fertilisers and seeds are all assured.
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