TANAKA FETINANDI
The World Food Programme (WFP) is pushing to avail cash and maize to refugees in Zimbabwe and is working closely with government and other donors to ensure production of own food in camps.
This follows the government’s contribution of 4,400 metric tonnes of maize grain to the refugees at Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge.
Tongogara refugee camp is home to refugees from several people affected by conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and northern Mozambique among other countries.
WFP Country Director in Zimbabwe Francesca Erdelmann said they will also provide opportunities that will help the refugees produce their own food.
“Maize is not enough now so we are also mobilising resources through other donors,” she said.
“…Maybe international donors such as the United States will provide us with the contributions and to allow us to top up the maize with cash,” she said.
“We are also working closely with the government together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHR) to facilitate opportunities so that the refugees can also produce food in the locality of the refugee camp which contribute to the variety of food that they can eat everyday but can also contribute to selling food.”
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare permanent secretary, Simon Masanga, said the government together with other development partners is showing commitment to refugees in the country.
“The government has agreed to give WFP maize, not because we have a lot of maize but it is a commitment that is being shown by the government that we can help WFP and other development partners in protecting the refugees in the country and also to make sure that they are eating well,” Masanga said.
“This does not restrict us from working with other NGOs and development partners who come in and help in other areas.’’
WFP provides food assistance to about 12 000 refugees every month to people who are living at the camp.
