The Garissa county government has kicked off Ramadhan food distribution targeting over 6,000 vulnerable families in the county.
Launching the exercise Friday at Bulla Mzuri in Garissa town, deputy governor Abdi Dagane said the county was honouring the pledge made by Governor Ali Korane that the county government was going to feed some 6,000 vulnerable families during the holy month of Ramadhan.
Some 200 families benefited from the exercise, each receiving a bale of wheat and maize flour containing 1 kg packets each, 3kg cooking oil, 50 kgs of rice, 10 kgs of sugar and ujimix to last at least two weeks.
“We have started with 200 families today and in the coming days we intend to scale up this distribution to families in Bulla Tawakal, Bulla Masalani and Bulla Bashal within Garissa Township. The same exercise will be rolled out soon in the other 6 sub-counties of Fafi, Balambala, Ijara, Hulugho, Dadaab and Lagdera,” Dagane said.
“We shall not only scale up the exercise but may revise the figures upwards to accommodate the families whose sources of livelihoods have been affected by the Covid-19 and the floods,” he added.
He called on residents to embrace the spirit of sharing during this Ramadhan period and continue adhering to guidelines issued by the ministry of health to limit the spread of Covid-19.
Garissa deputy county commissioner Samuel Njuguna who was present said the national government had chipped in and availed 4,000 bags of rice, face masks and hand sanitiser to support the Governor’s Iftar initiative and also those affected by the floods.
Njuguna cautioned beneficiaries against gathering in their homes especially after evening prayers but instead advised them to give friends take away food so as to avoid the spread of Covid-19.
He said both the national and the county government will continue collaborating to ensure that residents affected by the floods and Coronavirus get the necessary assistance.
By Jacob Songok
