After weeks of uncertainty, the FF Plus welcomes the categoric assurance provided by the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, that no non-profit or community organisations may be prevented from distributing food parcels among those in need.
The Minister provided this assurance after her Department and some provincial departments for Social Development attempted to centralise the distribution of food parcels under the control of government during the last few weeks.
During a meeting of the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Minister Zulu said that her Department was not stopping anyone from distributing food and that her Department is not in competition with anyone as regards emergency food distribution.
The number of people in need has increased exponentially since the declaration of the state of disaster and the implementation of the lockdown.
Thus, the news that organisations, like the Red Cross, Food Forward and Gift of the Givers, all of which made presentations to the Committee, would not be hindered in the distribution of food parcels is welcomed.
Government should be facilitating and, where possible, coordinating the alleviation of hunger, not hindering it.
;
