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Herald Reporter

MEASURES have been put in place by the Government to provide food for over 3,8 million vulnerable people who have been projected to become food insecure between January and March next year.

Speaking during yesterday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, said the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZIMVAC) for Rural Livelihood Assessment Results (2022) had indicated that approximately 38 percent of the rural population would be food insecure over the peak hunger period for the 2022/2023 consumption year.

“Cabinet wishes to assure the nation that all the 3,8 million people projected to be food insecure will be targeted as beneficiaries. Government will distribute food to all the needy households in provinces.

“The World Food Programme and other development partners are expected to channel their food assistance through Government structures as per practice,” she said.

Zimbabwe received good rainfall in the last two seasons, which were coupled with the availability of inputs through the climate-proofed Presidential Inputs Scheme and the CBZ agro-yield programme, contributed to good harvests.

As a result, there is enough grain in stock to support vulnerable families.

“The nation is assured that the country has 490 000 metric tonnes of grain in the Strategic Grain Reserve. Thus, the 120 000 tonnes required to support the needy households will be sufficiently covered.

“The targeting of beneficiaries and distribution of grain will be undertaken through District Drought Relief Committees,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.