A GIZO Livelihood Sector team has been established in Western Province to assist in the distribution of food supplies to communities in Gizo during a lockdown or an emergency.
Western Province Agriculture and Livelihood chief officer Sipuru Rove told Solomon Star Gizo today (Saturday 29th January) that his team already had the support of local producers from Kongu, Western Province Red Cross and Gizo Market Vendors Association (GMVA).
Mr Rove said Kongu producers will supply fruits, vegetables and root crops, the GMVA will sort the supplies, price them and Red Cross will distribute and sell them around Gizo communities.
“We are still working on finalizing our strategies on how we can get supplies and the distribution process,” Mr Rove said.
“These supplies will be sold to communities, they are not free.”
At the moment, he said they are focusing only on local produces.
However, he said they have also sent letters to businesses in Gizo to supply goods from their shops for this initiative but are yet to receive a response from them.
“We are only distributing local food as that has already been arranged but we are trying to arrange for local shop owners and business houses to also provide food items from their shops,” Mr Rove said.
He said transportation maybe a hindrance in ensuring food reached communities when requested but that is something they will need to look into.
“We will think for other options that maybe helpful for us,” Mr Rove said when asked about transportation.
Gizo is one of four areas in Western Province that is currently in lockdown. The other areas are Marovo, Noro and Munda. The lockdown will end at 6am Sunday 30th January.
By ULUTAH GINA
GIZO NEWS BUREAU
