Food insecurity continues to grow in South Africa

Photo credit: SALT Alliance Food distribution in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga

SALT Alliance Chairman Dr Lourens Schoeman today announced the good news that a second round of funding for food relief has been granted by Pharus Foundation, in partnership with Zuid-Afrika Mission and Verre Naasten.  

"From the SALT community based membership side, a huge word of appreciation for the second round of assistance with food security. During the first round [of food relief delivery] we encountered huge need amongst the marginalised. The downgrading of our economy, the loss of temporary low-skilled work and the reality of increased child-run households makes the grassroot situation devastating."

SALT Alliance members have identified at-risk families in the local communities that they work in. This generous donation will ensure that these families received nutritious food to tide them over for the next month. Food purchases will be made at local stores to stimulate local businesses and bring finance back into local communities hard hit under lockdown and business closures. SALT members will then distribute the food using their own teams, in partnership with local churches and community organisations. 

"One hundred percent of this food will reach those who need it most," says Kerry Feldman, SALT Secretariat officer. "We are so thankful for the compassion shown towards South Africa during a time of global upheaval."

The stories of how food arrived at just the right time are still coming in from the last distributions which took place on the Cape West Coast, in Khayelitsha (Cape Town), on the east coast to families in Port Elizabeth, within communities surrounding Ladysmith in KZN, in KwaMhlanga north of Pretoria and in the Nkomazi district which borders Mozambique and Swaziland.

SALT members stand ready to deliver more than food - they deliver hope and the message that even the most distant communities are not forgotten or forsaken. 

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