In his daily update on Tuesday, Premier Alan Winde announced that the Western Cape Government has released R53 million in emergency funding for school feeding schemes and other feeding programmes.
The funding will also support the Department of Social Development’s feeding programmes and be used for “the once-off creation and distribution of 50 000 food parcels.”
The provincial governments emergency fund is in direct response to the looting of various grocery stores in the Cape Flats over the past few days.
In Tafelsig, Mitchell’s Plain there was sporadic protests that started on Tuesday morning. “Large crowds took to the streets in protest against food parcels distributed to some communities within the broader Mitchell’s Plain townships. Tyres were burnt, roads barricaded and police pelted with stones.”
Winde said, “This demonstrates the serious humanitarian challenge facing communities across our country, and the need for increased support from SASSA and national government in addition to our emergency measures. We urge all residents to abide by the law, looting cannot be tolerated.”
The Department of Social Development (DSD) will identify the most vulnerable households to benefit from the limited food parcels that are available, by using the following criteria:
- Households that include a member/s of the family who tested positive for the virus and is in quarantine in their homes.
- Households where a member of the family tested positive for the virus and has insufficient means to sustain themselves during the lockdown period.
- Individuals who are on medication or who suffers from a chronic illness and have insufficient means to sustain themselves. These must have been assessed and referred by a local clinic or registered health practitioner.
- A person and their household who has insufficient means to sustain themselves during the lockdown period, was referred by a registered humanitarian relief agency, registered NPO or a municipal manager and assessed by the DSD. In this instance, persons not yet in receipt of SASSA grants, including the elderly, child-headed houses and grant awaiting beneficiaries will be prioritised.
Winde noted that this is a difficult situation which affects everyone not being able to earn a living, throughout the province and nationally. He added, “This is something that is going to take effort from all levels of government and of society to solve.”
To donate and find out more, visit the How You Can Help page: www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus
2 COMMENTS
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The 53million for who old age persons won’t see help from that.money👎
Our church is offering food parcels to communities close to our churches. Since the start of the.lockdown we have reached 920 families with basic food items that can sustain a family of 5 for at.least 5 days.
How can we benefit from this programme to help more families. We are a registered NPO with a PBO number.