19 Feb 2014

Parliament has been informed that food rations under the orphan care programme are family based.

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said it was not true that caregivers of some orphans were not provided for in the food rations supplied to those they cared for.

Responding to a question from the MP for Kanye South, Mr Abraham Kesupile, Ms Tshireletso said the procedure was that the food basket provided would not be only consumed by the orphan but by the entire family, which included caregivers.

She noted that orphan caregivers were also eligible for assistance under other programmes. They were assessed to verify if they qualified for appropriate support or if they had children with special needs or infants under their care, she added. The ministry, she said, was also aware that caregivers of people living with disability were not provided with food rations.

She said a task team has been appointed to look into the issue and come up with recommendations and guidelines on the provision of social safety nets for people living with disability and caregivers.

This include amongst others, the type of safety nets for people living with disability and its cost, the medication required and assistance required to the caregivers.

She also said a policy on orphans and other vulnerable children including those with disability is currently under review with the intension of incorporating emerging issues as well as aligning it to other existing policies that are currently being implemented.

MP Kesupile had asked if the Minister was aware that care givers of some orphans living with disability were not provided for in the food rations supplied to those they care for and also denied by their circumstances, the opportunity to work to improve their living conditions.

He said if the minister was aware, would she consider reviewing the policy, consistent with the dictum of poverty eradication for such caregivers. ENDS