Families in the Eastern Cape will receive food parcels next month as part of the Social Development Department's R400-million food security programme, the Daily Dispatch reported today.

The province was allocated a R94-million share in the national programme, which will run from next month to February 2004, the newspaper said.

National director-general Vusi Madonsela told the newspaper that poor families and people affected by HIV/Aids were regarded as priorities. "The plan will be implemented alongside the roll-out of agricultural starter packs launched last month at three provinces with high poverty levels," said Madonsela. These provinces are Limpompo, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

Eastern Cape departmental spokesperson Gcobani Maswana told the newspaper that the first families would receive their parcels on December 1.

"About 96 000 families throughout the province will benefit. At the moment, social workers are assessing information received to ensure that deserving families get food parcels," he said.

He told the newspaper that the programme would be launched in the Umtata, Mqanduli and Port Elizabeth areas.

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