By Staff Reporter
GOVERNMENT is targeting to pay US$8 per individual in cash transfers to hunger stricken urbanites through the One Money over and above schools feeding programs and other drought mitigatory measures.
Presenting the 2025 National Budget Blueprint ,Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said Treasury remains determined to alleviate hunger among citizens.
He said during the period July to October 2024, at least 6,2 million rural citizens were reported food insecure. In response, cereals equivalent to 7,5kg bag per month per individual were distributed to food insecure people including schools under the School Feeding Programme.
“In addition, at least 1.7 million individuals were registered for the Urban Cash for Cereals Programme, which will provide cash transfers in urban areas, of which approximately 30 000 people have received the cash transfers through One Money.
“The target is to provide cash transfers at an equivalent of USD$8 per individual per month,” he said.
The Treasury chief said during the period January to October 2024, cumulatively, the government distributed 224 279 mt of grain benefiting 5,5 million food insecure people during the first phase and 4,5 million people in the second phase in response to the El-Nino induced drought.
In 2025, ZiG813 million has been set aside to support food insecure households targeting 6,2 million people in rural areas and 1,7 million people in urban areas.
“This will be complemented by Development Partner assistance amounting to US$110 million in the form of food assistance in the most food insecure districts; distribution of agriculture supplies (seeds) and livestock (goats) to households whose livelihoods have been affected by the drought, as well as construction and rehabilitation of water points,” added Ncube.
