MDC Women's Assembly on Food Distribution in Zimbabwe
MDC Press
The current food distribution programme being undertaken by the various aid organisations in Zimbabwe continues to be manipulated by Zanu PF to favour its card carrying members in the various constituencies. As a result, some vulnerable groups are being excluded from both receiving the donated food aid and buying food at the Grain Marketing Board.
Receiving or buying food requires travelling long distances and subsequent queuing, which makes it difficult and impossible for the sick, single parents, orphan headed households, the disabled, pregnant women, the elderly, and those suffering from the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
The child-headed households are particularly disadvantaged at the queues because of the pushing and shoving that takes place there.
The high price of grain from the GMB is also another stumbling block for these disadvantaged groups, who cannot afford these prices due to poverty.
The illegitimate regime in Zimbabwe continues to use food aid as a tool to gain political mileage as evidence on the ground clearly shows that some gainfully employed civil servants such as teachers are currently receiving donated food aid, and also have privileged access to buying grain from the GMB depots.
In the light of these anomalies in the food aid distribution exercise and purchase of grain, the MDC's Women Assembly recommends that donors involved in supporting the food aid programme in Zimbabwe, review the process of food aid distribution to ensure that all groups are taken care of. Where necessary, special arrangements should be put in place to ensure that the disadvantaged groups' needs are adequately addressed.
Lucia Matibenga
National Chairperson, Women Assembly
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