Government Set To Increase Vulnerable Family’s Covid-19 Assistance Funds Next Month
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Paul Mavima yesterday announced in parliament during a question and answer session that the government will increase the vulnerable family's COVID-19 assistance funds.
The announcement was made after the parliament questioned the rationale behind government giving out a measly $180 COVID-19 assistance to the vulnerable people when the prices of basic foodstuffs and other important commodities have skyrocketed.
The minister was grilled over the issue by Joyce Makonya (MDC Alliance), who said the $180 was too little to even buy subsidized mealie-meal for vulnerable families.
Makonya wanted to know what assistance the government was giving to families that used to survive through vending and self-help jobs as they were on COVID-19 lockdown.
In his response, Mavima revealed that while the government announced that one million people would be assisted, only 200 000 have been assisted to date.
“We said we will target one million people and that their names should be written. Last week, we made mobile money transfers and paid 100 000 people,” Mavima said.
“We are looking at paying another 100 000 people so that they get $180 per person this week. The money is available and they should go to the Social Welfare ministry to get their names written down for assistance,” he said.
The minister said $8 million will be availed by the Finance ministry to assist vulnerable Zimbabweans and to distribute food to urban and rural areas.
“However, next month, the assistance will be increased to $300 per month. Roller meal should be sold at a subsidized price of $70, but some crooks are selling it for more,” Mavima said.
