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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]

COMMUNITIES in Matabeleland South province have applauded the Government’s swift rollout of the food distribution programme, saying this has brought relief to vulnerable villagers, who were on the brink of starvation.

The food distribution programme began last month in Matabeleland South, in six districts so far and is expected to extend to all areas, with Matobo District starting during the course of this week. 

In Mangwe District, the Government is conducting the food distribution programme in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP). Nearly 190 000 people in Matabeleland South Province are set to benefit under the drought relief programme.

According to the 2023 Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) report, the number of food insecure people in Zimbabwe for 2023/2024 consumption, decreased to 26 percent from 38 percent.

Official data suggests that during the peak hunger period from January to March 2024, about 2,7 million people will be in need of food assistance compared to 3,8 million from the previous year. Matabeleland South has 187 282 food-poor people compared to 166 690 from the previous year.

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According to the Food and Nutrition Security Policy (2021) food security exists when all people at all times, have physical, social and economic access to food, which is safe and consumed in sufficient quantity and quality to meet the dietary needs and food preference. 

Mr Benson Ndlovu from Artherstone Village in Ward 6 Insiza District said they were grateful for the Government intervention as this year’s harvest was not promising. He said the communities are still trying to recover from losses suffered during the 2022-2023 farming season.

“We are grateful for this intervention from Government because the situation is dire. Last year our harvest was poor and this year things are not looking good at all as some of the crops are wilting,” he said.

“We just hope that there is enough grain to last us throughout the year because at this rate we won’t harvest anything, which means we will need this intervention up until the next farming season.”

Gogo Sibonile Moyo from Zindele area in Gwanda said she has received her grain allocation for the month, which came at a time when she was in desperate need for food. 

She said this time around people are not only in need of grain only but other foodstuff as well such as relish.

Chief Hwadalala from Gwanda District said the Second Republic has heeded the outcry from ordinary people hence it has reacted fast to incorporate more households as almost the entire community was affected.

“We are glad that the Government under the leadership of President Mnangagwa has come to our aid. Our main concern during times like these are the children and the elderly and I’m glad that this programme is mainly targeting these groups,” he said.

“This time around there is need for Government to open the safety net and accommodate more people because many will need assistance this time around. Some families never recovered from the previous season.”

Chief Bango from Mangwe District said the drought relief programme has come at the right time when people were now in desperate need for food assistance. He said normally by this time of the year people who would have planted their crops early would have started harvesting.

“People had high hopes that they will get decent rains and they went out in numbers to work in their fields but most have lost everything. We are glad that Government working with its partners has come in to assist the people,” he said.

Matabeleland South provincial social welfare officer, Mr Criswell Nyakudya said the province has enough grain to cater for all those who were registered under the drought relief programme. He said the province planned to distribute about 6 000 metric tonnes of maize to communities from January to this monthend.

“The drought relief programme is ongoing in the province and so far six districts have started receiving grain and soon Matobo, which is remaining will join in. In Government remains committed to ensure that no one dies of hunger and will respond accordingly to distress calls,” said Mr Nyakudya. “Where possible, food distribution will be coupled with food for asset or productive community work.

“In Matabeleland South the drought relief programme will target seven districts, six by Government and one, which is Mangwe District will benefit under WFP. Drought relief committees are in place at provincial and district level to facilitate the programme. The committees are comprised of various stakeholders that include traditional leaders.”

He said beneficiaries are not supposed to pay for transportation of their grain.