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Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter

Over 3 000 individuals in Gutu district received food aid from the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) last week and the people were given more guidance on preventive measures against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The food aid was distributed in partnership with Canadian Food Grains Project at Denhere Shopping Centre, Gwiranenzara and Chiguhune Primary Schools.

Fifty people gathered at a time as prescribed by law.

The aid comprised of 31 100kg of maize meal, 6 220kg of sugar beans and 3 110 litres of cooking oil.

In a statement, ZCC Masvingo regional programmes manager Ms Maria Dendere said the ZCC will continue distributing food aid to vulnerable communities while observing guidelines issued by Government to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As ZCC, we have seen the need to continue supporting vulnerable communities in Gutu district with foodstuffs, pyscho-social support as well as child protection training,” she said.

“We also have sanitisers to ensure that we avoid the spread of the coronavirus by our communities and ensure they frequently wash their hands.

“We have reduced the number of villages we gather at a time to stay within the gazetted numbers of people per gathering, not more than 50 people.

“We have been educating people on the need for self protection and self isolation and to avoid physical contact with
one another and follow advice from authorities to prevent the spread of the virus.”

Ms Dendere added that it was the duty of humanitarian agencies to intervene with food aid and other forms of support in times of need and ZCC would continue working with Government to identify deserving beneficiaries.

The ZCC, which groups mainline protestant churches, was one of the  religious groups that met President Mnangagwa at State House last week and pledged to support Government efforts in curbing the spread of Covid-19.