$950M to prepare, deliver food hampers to 93,000 households countrywide

Some $950 million will be used over the next three months to package and deliver food hampers to households across the 10 administrative regions but more particularly to hinterland communities.

Prime Minister Brigadier (rt’d) Mark Phillips was on Monday made to answer questions on the almost $100 million allocated under his office for the purchase of dietary supplies over the next three months – October to December 2020.

The Prime Minister was speaking during the consideration the Estimates of Expenditure for 2020 while the National Assembly was resolved into the Committee of Supply when he explained that the monies will be used to purchase non-perishable food items to be delivered to several hinterland communities.

The Prime Minister said some 93,000 households stand to benefit.

Phillips, in responding to questions from the Opposition, said that an assessment was done by several agencies including the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) where it was found that some 45 per cent of the population was found to be wanting in this regard as a result of the prevailing COVID – 19 pandemic.

He said from that finding the number of households and the communities was concluded on. Some $133 million will be used for transporting the hampers to the communities for distribution, several of which are riverain.

The Prime Minister has committed to laying over the details related to the project to the House.

This forms part of the continuing efforts by the PPP/C Government to assist regions that are affected by the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

Back in August, a total of 1,200 hampers, cleaning and hygiene kits dispatched for 11 indigenous villages along the Moruca, Waini and Barama Rivers, Moruca sub-district, Region 1 (Barima-Waini).