Registration
for
the
program,
which
aims
to
provide
financial
support
to
vulnerable
urban
populations
for
purchasing
cereal
and
other
essential
food
items,
took
place
in
August.
However,
despite
registration
being
completed,
many
residents
have
yet
to
receive
any
assistance.
The
Minister
of
Public
Service,
Labour
and
Social
Welfare,
July
Moyo,
previously
stated
that
6.1
million
people
in
rural
areas
are
currently
receiving
food
handouts,
while
cash
transfers
for
1.7
million
urban
residents
are
still
pending.
President
Emmerson
Mnangagwa
declared
the
El
Niño-induced
drought
a
national
disaster
after
the
2024
ZimLAC
Urban
Livelihoods
Assessment
Report
revealed
that
approximately
35
percent
of
the
urban
population,
or
about
1.7
million
people,
would
face
food
insecurity.
Distribution
of
SIM
cards,
which
are
essential
for
registration
in
the
cash-for-cereal
program,
is
ongoing
in
Bulawayo,
with
residents
from
various
wards
being
invited
to
collect
them.
“You
are
requested
to
come
and
collect
your
NetOne
SIM
card
for
cash-for-cereal
registration
on
the
13th
of
October
at
9
AM
at
Vulindlela
Primary/Mahlathini
Primary.
Please
bring
your
National
ID
card
for
verification,”
read
a
message
received
by
a
resident
in
Cowdray
Park.
Despite
this,
many
residents
remain
concerned
about
the
delay
in
receiving
financial
aid.
“The
year
is
almost
over,
and
the
drought
relief
has
still
not
reached
residents,”
said
Sithokozile
Ncube,
a
local
resident.
Another
resident
expressed
frustration,
stating,
“Everyone
in
Zimbabwe
was
registered
since
we
didn’t
harvest
anything
last
year,
but
now
the
year
is
ending,
and
people
still
haven’t
received
any
relief.”
In
Ward
17,
where
SIM
card
distributions
have
also
taken
place,
Councilor
Sikhululekile
Moyo
acknowledged
that
there
has
been
a
lack
of
information
about
the
program’s
disbursements.
“As
a
councillor,
I
didn’t
have
full
information
about
the
program,
so
it
was
difficult
to
answer
residents’
questions.
The
program
came,
and
residents
received
SIM
cards,
but
there
was
limited
information
shared,”
she
explained.
Councilor
Moyo
stressed
the
importance
of
clear
communication
to
prevent
confusion.
“When
people
don’t
understand
the
process,
many
issues
arise.
Those
who
received
SIM
cards
were
left
uncertain
about
whether
there
would
be
funds
or
how
the
SIM
cards
would
be
used.”
Bulawayo
United
Residents
Association
(BURA)
chairperson
Winos
Dube
echoed
these
concerns,
noting
that
the
program’s
delay
has
caused
distress
among
residents.
“If
people
are
only
receiving
SIM
cards
now,
in
October,
the
program
is
already
late.
By
this
time,
people
should
have
started
receiving
assistance,
especially
since
the
hunger
crisis
began
months
ago.
Now,
with
the
rainy
season
approaching,
people
are
even
more
anxious.”
Dube
added
that
while
residents
still
hope
for
assistance,
the
delays
have
been
disheartening.
“We
should
already
be
talking
about
a
program
that
is
actively
helping
residents.
Yes,
any
assistance
is
welcome,
but
it
has
come
too
late.”
Attempts
to
reach
Minister
of
Public
Service,
Labour
and
Social
Welfare,
July
Moyo,
for
comment,
were
unsuccessful
as
he
did
not
answer
calls
or
respond
to
messages.