By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Khanya Mabuza, the Chairman of the COVID-19 Social Protection Committee has warned of a posible food crisis in the next coming weeks.

Speaking to this Swaziland News, Mabuza said the crisis would be escalated by the fact that people are locked within their homes with no income while some workers are expected to lose their jobs.

“We are still assessing the situation so we can have a detailed report with regards to the number of people who might be in need of food aid. For now, we are aware that the elderly are the most vulnerable because even if they can receive their grants, they can’t travel to buy food due of lack of transport. On another note the number of people who might be in need of food will be increased by the job loses” he said.

The Chairman said as a Committee they are also assessing issues of Gender Based Violence (GBV) adding that the lockdown might result to the escalation of such cases.

“This situation exposes people to gender based violence and poverty as they remain locked in their homes with high food consumption” he said.

When asked about the relief plan to the looming crisis, the Chairman said currently they were busy with assessing the situation and the report will determine what action should be taken to mitigate the situation.

“We have asked the Disaster Task Force to have a budget for food for the most vulnerable. The fact of the matter is that the coronavirus has not reach the critical stage whereby people will become more vulnerable, but the situation is going there” said the Chairman.