News / Local
Call for aid as 37 228 families face starvation in Chiredzi
12 Apr 2016 at 06:29hrs | Views
Chiredzi District is faced with serious starvation as only 15 669 of the 52 897 households registered for food aid are receiving assistance through drought relief programs.
This means that only 29.6 percent of the families in need of food aid in the district are receiving it.
Chiredzi District Administrator Clara Muzenda said the situation was getting out of hand and has called upon Government and other organisations to intervene with food aid in order to avert looming starvation.
Of the 52 897 households, 37 362 are food insecure and of the 15 669 who are currently on drought relief 10 077 receive 50kgs of maize from the Social Welfare and 5 592 receive assistance from a World Food Program.
Masvingo Mirror reported that Muzenda said the situation in her district which is known for always receiving low rainfall is bad and there is need for urgent intervention from Government partners to avert a possible crisis.
She said the current program is catering for few households as all vulnerable people are not yet covered.
"The district has a large number of families who need food assistance due to the prevailing drought. So far 15 669 households are receiving food under the drought relief program. Out of this number 10 077 are being assisted under Social Welfare and 5 592 are getting assistance under World Food Program. At least 52 897 households are registered for food assistance in the district and of this number 37 362 are critically food insecure and on that regard I appeal for additional assistance especially from Government partners who are non-governmental organisations" said Muzenda.
The district has 32 wards but have other wards which are covered by sugarcane plantations which are not covered under the drought relief programs.
Muzenda said they receive 566 tonnes of maize through GMB for the program every month.
Over 3000 cattle have died in the district due to the prevailing drought and the crops have wilted.
This means that only 29.6 percent of the families in need of food aid in the district are receiving it.
Chiredzi District Administrator Clara Muzenda said the situation was getting out of hand and has called upon Government and other organisations to intervene with food aid in order to avert looming starvation.
Of the 52 897 households, 37 362 are food insecure and of the 15 669 who are currently on drought relief 10 077 receive 50kgs of maize from the Social Welfare and 5 592 receive assistance from a World Food Program.
Masvingo Mirror reported that Muzenda said the situation in her district which is known for always receiving low rainfall is bad and there is need for urgent intervention from Government partners to avert a possible crisis.
She said the current program is catering for few households as all vulnerable people are not yet covered.
"The district has a large number of families who need food assistance due to the prevailing drought. So far 15 669 households are receiving food under the drought relief program. Out of this number 10 077 are being assisted under Social Welfare and 5 592 are getting assistance under World Food Program. At least 52 897 households are registered for food assistance in the district and of this number 37 362 are critically food insecure and on that regard I appeal for additional assistance especially from Government partners who are non-governmental organisations" said Muzenda.
The district has 32 wards but have other wards which are covered by sugarcane plantations which are not covered under the drought relief programs.
Muzenda said they receive 566 tonnes of maize through GMB for the program every month.
Over 3000 cattle have died in the district due to the prevailing drought and the crops have wilted.
Source - Masvingo Mirror
