Food parcels ahead of distribution during the Brian Baloyi Family Foundation Adopt-A-Block food parcel distribution briefing at ALEX FM Boardroom on April 29, 2020 in in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
Parliament Committee concerned over food security
The Department of Social Development appeared before Portfolio Committee on Social Development to give an update on its food distribution programme
Food parcels ahead of distribution during the Brian Baloyi Family Foundation Adopt-A-Block food parcel distribution briefing at ALEX FM Boardroom on April 29, 2020 in in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Social Development has voiced its worry over reports that more than eight million people in the country go to bed hungry, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department of Social Development appeared before the committee on Thursday, 25 June 2020, to give a progress report on its food distribution which was spurred by the national lockdown.
Over five million people fed during lockdown
According to the department, 14 million South Africans faced hunger on a daily basis prior to the lockdown, however that figure has since gone done to eight million.`
“Rising levels of hunger, poverty which are further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and lock-down”, the department’s presentation read.
“23.8% of the population (14 million people) who are food insecure (experience hunger) prior to COVID-19 pandemic”
“Only 5 188 245 (37%) people access food through Government and other partners support as part of COVID-19 response”
The department also said more than R120 million had been spent on social relief of distress (a programme which offers temporary relief to people who are in need and cannot provide for themselves), from 1 April to 22 June 2020.
COVID-19 a threat to food security
The committee’s Mondli Gungubele said it was clear that the coronavirus remained a huge threat to food security and a large proportion of the population could experience food insecurity as a result of the pandemic.
“The need to feed our people came out very strong in today’s meeting. If we are supposed to feed 14 million people and we are only able to feed just over five million, then it is a serious problem”, Gungubele said.
The committee heard that the demand for food far surpasses supply and the government’s ability to assist is limited.
Gungubele said while the committee appreciated both the national and provincial department’s efforts, the most worrying issue is food insecurity among the vulnerable. He appealed to the department to do everything in its power to ensure that children and people in dire need have access to food.
“It is also important as a committee that we must express a strong appropriation to members of civil society who made contribution to feeding our nation, whether through donations or volunteering,” said Gungubele.
