Since the Covid-19 pandemic started, thousands of people’s lives have been changed.

Food insecurity is a reality for many households. In Ward 57, about 70 per cent of the population is unemployed and living under the poverty line. They are not able to afford basic healthy eating.

Ward 57 councillor Faeeza Chame said the Covid-19 outbreak has forced government to develop interventions to ensure vulnerable households have access to food during the current state of affairs.

“Sadly, this did not happen in our ward. Residents who applied have still not heard from or received any food aid through government.

“As ward councillors, we cannot get directly involved with food parcel distribution but we can observe. “The vulnerable feel hopeless because of no food aid during this time. I took it upon myself to contact some sponsors for assistance.

“We managed to feed through local churches and NGOs some of the community, but it is not enough. Some of the parcels will only last for a few days.

“I would like to particularly thank an individual sponsor who saw my plight on social media. He contacted me and offered to purchase groceries for 24 families.

“I would like to thank all the sponsors for their unselfish acts during this time. Please keep a safe distance, wear a mask and wash your hands regularly,” she said.