The Kwale county government has launched a Sh.450 million food distribution programme in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic targeting needy households in the coastal county.
The relief food programme was launched on Wednesday by Governor Salim Mvurya at the Kwale Cereals and Produce Board stores.
The governor noted the coronavirus crisis has put a huge strain on poor families in the region and that what will be distributed in the coming days is expected to last the vulnerable families for a month.
Mvurya who was accompanied by County Commissioner Karuku Ngumo said the foodstuffs will be distributed to poor families spread in 20 wards in the county.
The food items flagged off include 4,335 bales of maize flour, 60 tons of beans, five tons of rice and 9,000 liters of cooking oil.
The county boss said with many businesses laying off staff, cessation on population movement and nationwide curfew many families find themselves with zero income.
Governor Mvurya said the food items included a stock of Sh14.5 million from the county government, 300 bales donation from Kitui Flour Mills, Teacher for Teachers (T4T) and others from mining firm Base Titanium among others.
“A budget of Sh450 million was passed by our county assembly to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic effects and I have already authorised a further Sh160 million under the County Emergency Fund which is before the assembly to be ready by next week,” he said and assured residents that more food was on the way.
The governor said 67 per cent of all Kwale families are seriously affected by the pandemic adding that phase one of the distribution will benefit about 8,000 families (about 50,000 people).
Governor Mvurya directed the related local committees to observe strict accountability so that no vulnerable family is left out.
He said with the coronavirus pandemic threatening to snowball into a crisis of hunger in the coming weeks his administration will ensure the food aid exercise is carried out without prejudice of any kind.
“I also urge the beneficiaries to use the food well, not to sell or waste it,” he said adding that in the distribution process, all health regulations must be observed that include social distancing, wearing masks, washing hands with soap and sanitizing among others.
He reiterated that the Tanzania boundary remained closed and called on residents to stay alert and not allow foreigners through illegal routes.
The governor hailed the cordial relationship between his government and the national government saying it had assisted in fighting the covid-19 pandemic.
Mvurya announced that mass testing will start as soon as the county receives equipment from the national government and that a process was ongoing to set up a special coronavirus treatment center at the Msambweni County referral Hospital.
By Hussein Abdullahi
Kwale County Offers Relief Supplies
