By Staff Reporter
The United Kingdom (UK) has said it will release US $5, 4 million to help feed 110 000 food insecure people in Zimbabwe.
According to a statement release by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) last Wednesday, the fund will bring food relief to people living in the urban centres in Zimbabwe who are expected to receive monthly vouchers worth US $12 per person.
“Zimbabwe will receive US$5, 4 million to help support 110 000 food insecure people living in eight urban areas. These highly vulnerable people, a large percentage of which includes elderly, people living with disabilities and child headed households have been severely impacted by Covid 19 and the support, implemented by the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), will come in the form of monthly cash transfers or electronic vouchers worth US$12 per person which can be redeemed in supermarkets,” said FCDO in a statement.
FCDO urged other donors to assist in feeding people who have been affected by the effects of COVID 19.
“This extra UK aid support will mean people can feed their families and prevent the food crisis from escalating .We hope to see other donors chip in to support the people of Zimbabwe through this difficult time” said FCDO in a statement.
Country Director and WFP representative in Zimbabwe, Francesca Erdlmann, applauded the UK and said the fund will go a long way in assisting the vulnerable in Zimbabwe.
“We are so grateful for our partnership with the UK’s FCDO. This generous and timely contribution from the people of the United Kingdom will go a long way to relieve the hunger burden on Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable urban population. WFP and the humanitarian community are facing a shortage of funding, and this contribution will ensure we can continue to save lives at this critical time when the grip of COVID-19 on the country is tightening and putting people’s livelihoods on the line,” said Erdlmann.
Since the start of the pandemic, Government has also mobilized Covid 19 relief funds to assist the vulnerable in society. The department of Social Welfare is also giving grain to the vulnerable during this time of Covid 19 pandemic.
