Minister warns against double dipping as grain distribution begins
Minister Owen Ncube launches grain distribution in Midlands Province, targeting areas hit hard by El Niño-induced drought. Assessments reveal 60% of population critically in need. President Mnangagwa’s disaster declaration in April 2024 prompts action. Government emphasizes fair distribution, warns against “double dipping.” 744,270 tonnes of grain in reserves to aid till March 2025. Chiefs receive maize for vulnerable groups. Govt praised for timely relief efforts amid severe drought.
Patrick Chitumba patrick.chitumba@chronicle.co.zw THE Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Owen Ncube has announced the commencement of grain distribution to rural areas within the province. He urged beneficiaries to ensure they don’t receive aid from both the Zunde raMambo/Isiphala SeNkosi programme and Social Welfare to prevent unfair distribution. Minister Ncube said that food aid distribution has begun in areas most severely affected by the El Niño-induced drought. This follows assessments conducted at the household and village level, as well as by the Urban Food and Nutrition Council. These assessments revealed that nearly 60 percent of the population is in critical need of food assistance. The distribution programme comes following President Mnangagwa’s declaration of a state of disaster in April 2024. The declaration was prompted by concerns over the El Niño-induced drought threatening the country’s food security. The 2023/2024 agricultural season has underperformed, necessitating Government intervention. Minister Ncube reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring food security for all citizens until March 2025. He highlighted that Zimbabwe has approximately
744 270 tonnes of grain stockpiled in its strategic reserves. While addressing the Zanu-PF Gokwe South Inter District Co-ordinating Committee meeting, Minister Ncube cautioned beneficiaries against receiving aid from both programmes. The practice, known as “double dipping,” could hinder efforts to ensure fair and equitable distribution of food assistance.
“Movement of food aid has started in the province; it is ongoing as we speak. We have two sources of food aid namely Zunde raMambo/Isiphala SeNkosi and Social Welfare. If you collect your food aid from Isiphala SeNkosi please you won’t be eligible to collect grain from Social Welfare and vice versa. We want everyone to benefit,” he said. Meanwhile, Shurugwi chiefs received 15 tonnes of maize each recently as part of the drought relief programme. Chief Nhema, Chief Banga, and Chief Ndanga met Shurugwi District Development Co-ordinator (DDC) Mr Romeo Shangwa ahead of the distribution of the food aid. “This programme aims to support the most vulnerable members of the community, including the less privileged, elderly, persons with disabilities, child-headed families and the chronically ill. President Mnangagwa declared the current El Niño-induced drought a national disaster,” he said. Mr Shangwa explained to the chiefs that President Mnangagwa approved the food aid distribution programme to ensure no one goes hungry. “As the national owner of Zunde raMambo/ Isiphala SeNkosi, the President directed the decentralisation of grains to the Chiefs and it’s your duty to ensure that the food aid is evenly distributed to the vulnerable members in your villages,” he said. Chief Banga commended the Government for expeditiously availing food aid to the vulnerable people especially those in rural areas who got nothing from the fields. Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Owen Ncube (third from left) and Zanu-PF Midlands Province leadership in Gokwe South.
THE Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Owen Ncube has announced the commencement of grain distribution to rural areas within the province.
He urged beneficiaries to ensure they don’t receive aid from both the Zunde raMambo/Isiphala SeNkosi programme and Social Welfare to prevent unfair distribution.
Minister Ncube said that food aid distribution has begun in areas most severely affected by the El Niño-induced drought.
This follows assessments conducted at the household and village level, as well as by the Urban Food and Nutrition Council.
These assessments revealed that nearly 60 percent of the population is in critical need of food assistance.
The distribution programme comes following President Mnangagwa’s declaration of a state of disaster in April 2024.
The declaration was prompted by concerns over the El Niño-induced drought threatening the country’s food security.
The 2023/2024 agricultural season has underperformed, necessitating Government intervention.
Minister Ncube reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring food security for all citizens until March 2025.
He highlighted that Zimbabwe has approximately 744 270 tonnes of grain stockpiled in its strategic reserves.
While addressing the Zanu-PF Gokwe South Inter District Co-ordinating Committee meeting, Minister Ncube cautioned beneficiaries against receiving aid from both programmes.
The practice, known as “double dipping,” could hinder efforts to ensure fair and equitable distribution of food assistance.
“Movement of food aid has started in the province; it is ongoing as we speak. We have two sources of food aid namely Zunde raMambo/Isiphala SeNkosi and Social Welfare. If you collect your food aid from Isiphala SeNkosi please you won’t be eligible to collect grain from Social Welfare and vice versa. We want everyone to benefit,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shurugwi chiefs received 15 tonnes of maize each recently as part of the drought relief programme. Chief Nhema, Chief Banga, and Chief Ndanga met Shurugwi District Development Co-ordinator (DDC) Mr Romeo Shangwa ahead of the distribution of the food aid.
“This programme aims to support the most vulnerable members of the community, including the less privileged, elderly, persons with disabilities, child-headed families and the chronically ill.
President Mnangagwa declared the current El Niño-induced drought a national disaster,” he said.
Mr Shangwa explained to the chiefs that President Mnangagwa approved the food aid distribution programme to ensure no one goes hungry.
“As the national owner of Zunde raMambo/ Isiphala SeNkosi, the President directed the decentralisation of grains to the Chiefs and it’s your duty to ensure that the food aid is evenly distributed to the vulnerable members in your villages,” he said.
Chief Banga commended the Government for expeditiously availing food aid to the vulnerable people especially those in rural areas who got nothing from the fields.
“This relief initiative underscores the Government’s commitment to addressing the immediate food security needs of the most vulnerable populations in the wake of the severe drought conditions affecting our communities and we commend the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa for coming in at the right time to feed the people in need of food aid,” he said.
Source Link : https://www.chronicle.co.zw/minister-warns-against-double-dipping-as-grain-distribution-begins/
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