CLOSE to 30 000 food insecure people in urban areas have received their cash disbursements to enable them buy food, the minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, July Moyo has said.
In a report to the ruling Zanu PF party National People’s Conference underway at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo, Moyo – who chairs the party’s social protection pillar – said the government is targeting 1.7 million food insecure people in urban areas to receive the cash for cereals to buy 7.5kg of grain per person until next march.
“To date, a total 27 877 people have received their cash disbursements which are equivalent to buy 7.5kg of grain per individual. This was done so as to standardize the ration per person for both rural and urban areas,” he said.
Turning to health assistance for vulnerable members of society (SDG 3 – good health and well-being), he said 18 023 people had been assisted to access medical treatment at hospitals.
This is facilitated through the Assisted Medical Treatment order which allows beneficiaries to access health services at government health institutions, local authorities and mission hospitals.
During the first three months of the year, Moyo said the government received 15 044 Zimbabwean returnees from neighbouring South Africa and Botswana through Beitbridge and Plumtree reception centres.
He said the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Bill now awaits Presidential assent with the government having published a list of 472 non-compliant and 236 dormant PVOs and intensifying monitoring of PVOs in provinces resulting in increased compliance in the submission of statutory reports by about 65 percent of PVOs compared to 25 percent during the period under review.
Following the launch of the Multi-sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024-2030) in June this year, the government has completed the drafting of the National Drug and Substance Abuse Control Agency Bill. The agency is expected to coordinate AntiDrug and Substance Abuse programming.
“Three outpatient psychosocial Support Centres have been established to provide outpatient rehabilitation and psycho-social support,” Moyo said. – New Ziana