LOCAL financial institution Access Finance say they have set aside resources to provide food hampers for at least one million underprivileged families across the country.
This follows the first phase of their social intervention roll out which saw 100 Epworth families receiving food hampers on Saturday.
Speaking at the handover event, Access Finance chairman Isau Bwerinofa said this was an effort to cushion the needy families during the lockdown period.
The institution said they felt obliged to complement government efforts of social intervention since the lockdown has caused a financial hemorrhage on most families.
“This is a national health crisis and as the corporate world we saw it necessary to intervene as part of our corporate social responsibility programme.
“By the end of the lockdown we are looking at catering for at least 1 million families,we empathise with them and acknowledge the effects of the deadly COVID-19,”Bwerinofa said.
Epworth has been identified as one of the areas accommodating majority of urban dwellers who are in dire need to be protected by the social safety net.
Most vendors plying their trade in the Central Business District (CBD) are resident in the area.
Reports of an in increase in domestic violence cases in the area,have already been noted during the course of the national lockdown
This has been attributed to scarcity of food and basic commodities in households.
Zimbabwe has so far recorded 13 COVID-19 confirmed cases and three deaths.
The 21-day national lockdown period is likely to be extended as hinted by President Mnangagwa recently.
Neighbouring South Africa had a two weeks extension coupled with some cushioning measures to minimise the impact on citizens
Meanwhile,in a separate interview,Access Finance managing director Ray Chigogwana said the firm persists with its commitment to reach out to customers across the country.
“We are pleased to be growing a network of strong partnerships that will empower customers across the nation to access our services
of safe and secure transacting and we will continue to do our part as we grow, to bring inclusive transacting to customers across Zimbabwe,”he said.
In recent months, Access Finance has unveiled a range of services that enable customers to access forex and make payments through their Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls branches.
