Govt starts distributing maize to hunger stricken provinces country wide

GOVERNMENT has started distributing maize to hunger stricken provinces across the country following the arrival recently of part of the 150 000 tonnes of maize imported from Zambia.

The country is importing maize from Zambia under a government-to-government arrangement.

The first consignment was distributed to the most affected parts of the country.

Matabeleland North Governor Thokozile Mathuthu said the province had started receiving maize from Zambia and people had started benefiting.

"Since Friday all Grain Marketing Board depots have received maize and this has been moved to the districts. We have received three trucks per district," she said.

Governor Mathuthu said there was hunger in the area and the people in the province were grateful to Government for "remembering them in this critical situation".

She said the maize was not being stored at the GMB depots but passed through the depots for recording purposes before being distributed to the most affected people by district administrators.

Matabeleland South Governor Governor Angeline Masuku said the maize delivered to her province was being distributed at ward level by a committee comprising the district administrator, chiefs and local leaders.

"The grain is still coming and I cannot tell the exact amount that has been received but the province has received some maize which is currently being distributed," she said.

Manicaland Governor Christopher Mushohwe said the province was expecting to receive the maize starting yesterday.

"Manicaland is in dire need of food especially areas such as Chipinge South, Buhera and Nyanga and Mutasa. Other areas had patches where they harvested some food. Makoni is fairly better," he said.
Governor Mushohwe said some areas in Manicaland had poor roads and people were having problems accessing GMB depots.

"Rusitu area is quite bad but overall Manicaland is in need of food assistance," he said.
Most of the villagers, said Governor Mushohwe, were not in a position to buy food and most of them were likely to get the food as grain loan or handouts.

"The situation at the moment is disturbing. Some people in Chiadzwa are benefiting from Mbada Diamond company which gives them food after every three months.

"I am concerned that Mbada is not the only mining company here but there other companies that should also assist people with food," he said.

He said the companies should not be pushed to assist the people in the areas they are operating but it should be the companies' obligation and part of social responsibility.

Zimbabwe received poor rains during the just-ended cropping season, resulting in food shortages.
Government imported maize from Zambia which will be distributed to the most affected areas including Masvingo and Midlands provinces.