FOOD RELIEF FOR NEEDY GAUTENG RESIDENTS

Gauteng province remains the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, with 930 of the 2 506 national confirmed cases being in our province (37%) as at 15 April 2020. In addition, 5 people have died due to the coronavirus in Gauteng.

The Provincial Command Council led by the Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura, gave updates of COVID-19 in the province today, 16 April 2020. The media briefing will be held weekly by the Provincial Command Council PCC).

Although COVID-19 is a health pandemic it is and will continue to negatively affect people’s livelihoods. A lot of people will not earn a salary this month as a state instituted lockdown has made it impossible to earn a living. Sadly, a lot of families will starve during the lockdown.

As part of its food security programme, the Gauteng Provincial Government provides food relief to more than 200 000 households per annum. This has been done in the last 5 years.

The Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura said that “Since the lockdown, we have worked with various social partners to provide food relief to 19 000 households, reaching 98 000 people. On average, we distribute food packages to 2000 households per day.”

The Gauteng Department calls on all households in need of food relief to contact the Gauteng Support Hotline on 0800 228 827 or email support@gauteng.gov.za

The following is the criteria for food relief beneficiaries:
• Current food insecure households, who are verified and confirmed by social workers;
• The homeless;
• The sickly;
• Child headed households; and
• Victims of Gender-Based violence

The demand for food relief far outweighs the Provincial Government’s capacity during this time. The Gauteng Government appeals to citizens and corporates to donate food packs and dignity packs which include sanitary pads, hand sanitizers, gloves, toothpaste and soap. The donations team can be contacted on covid19.donations@gauteng.gov.za or call 072 633 0515.

The PCC will give more economic measures in next week’s economic briefing.