Zimbabwe Food Aid Distribution Delayed Due to Funding Shortfall

Millions of Zimbabweans facing hunger due to drought will have to wait longer for food aid as the government grapples with a lack of funds for distribution. 

The Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare deputy minister, Mercy Dinha, confirmed the delay during a Parliamentary question and answer session.

“This grain distribution programme should have started a long time ago,” Dinha admitted, “but we were waiting for funding from Treasury to transport the grain to silos that are closer to the people.”

The government has allocated ZWL$3.7 billion (USD 1.3 million) for the program, encompassing beneficiary registration and grain transportation. However, a funding shortfall has stalled progress. 

While ZWL$8 billion (USD 2.9 million) was received in February, an additional ZWL$3.5 billion (USD 1.3 million) remains outstanding.

“We have not received all the funds and that is the reason why we have those delays,” Dinha explained.

This news comes amidst warnings from humanitarian organizations that over four million Zimbabweans, including urban residents, require food assistance due to the El Nino-induced drought. The prolonged dry season has devastated crops, raising concerns about food security.

The government maintains its commitment to preventing starvation, but critics remain skeptical, particularly after a recent announcement revealing that only 9% of the 2.7 million people registered for food aid have received assistance since January.

“The grain is there,” Dinha emphasized, “the only problem is transportation to take it to the nearest Grain Marketing Board depots so that people may receive grain closer to their doorsteps.”

The delay in food aid distribution due to funding constraints is likely to exacerbate hunger in Zimbabwe, particularly for the most vulnerable populations.