-Gvt yet to decide mode of payment for beneficiaries
Roseline Mutare
Masvingo- The government has said that residents in low-density urban settlements are not beneficiaries of the Food Cash Program. Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, July Moyo, announced that the program will focus on supporting vulnerable populations in high-density areas in the urban settlement.
Speaking at a drought mitigation strategy workshop at Clevers Resort yesterday, Minister Moyo said the programme will prioritize supporting vulnerable populations in high-density areas in the urban areas.
“Those living in low density areas will cater for themselves, while those in high-density areas who meet specific criteria will receive support, We have gone to every ward using the community based assessment, how many people and which households are we going to target, and we have given them parameters to prioritise people with disability, child-headed families and those in old age,” said the Minister.
Minister Moyo outlined the criteria for beneficiaries, including old age, child-headed families, people with disabilities (PWD), food-insecure families, and those who are unemployed or lost jobs due to circumstances.
Moyo added that the Government is yet to decide on which mobile operator will be contracted to disburse the cash for the urban poor.
He also noted that community-based selection will be used to identify beneficiaries, ensuring that support reaches those who need it most.
Minister Moyo said the amount to be received by each beneficiary would depend on the cost of 7,5kg of mealie meal, in line with what the rural beneficiaries are receiving by targeting those most in need, the programme seeks to make a meaningful impact in the lives of Zimbabweans.
According to the 2024 Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment, at least 1. 7 million people in urban areas are in need of food aid, while another 6 million in rural areas have been left vulnerable to hunger by the El-Nino-induced drought.
