Siyabonga Sayi
As the need for food aid continues to rise in the drought-stricken Masvingo province with almost everyone in need of relief aid, the Community Based Aid Programme (CBAP) has rescued 724 families in wards 1, 13, 17 and 19 of Masvingo district.
The programme, which started in August this year, has targeted the four wards in Masvingo district.
CBAP director Samuel Mhungu said these wards were the most affected by drought hence the first priority.
“We carried out a survey in the district and it showed that these wards were the most affected and we gave them the first priority from what we had.
“When the programme started in August, each family received 50kg regardless of the family size and 181 families benefitted from each of the wards till September.
“In October 301 families received maize in ward 1 while 290 families in ward 17 and 133 households benefitted from the food aid in ward 19,” said Mhungu.
Ward 13 councillor Trust Mugabe said the food aid came at an opportune time when the people were starving due to the poor yields last season.
“The food shortages we are facing today are not limited to my ward alone but they are a national crisis. Almost every household is surviving on one meal per day and any aid that comes is deeply appreciated.
“CBAP has been very helpful by feeding the starving families from the time they started food aid distribution in August this year.
“We welcome anyone who comes in handy to help our starving people,” said Mugabe.news