A 3 Million Dollar Grocery Bag
We also asked the Human Development Minister about the Prime Minister's announcement at his budget presentation last week Friday that 3 million dollars would be set aside to continue with the ongoing food assistance program.
It's not a whole lot when you consider how. Many hungry mouths COVID has left to feed.
Today, the Minister of Human Development made it clear that her staff will try its best to make this money last as long as possible for the beneficiaries:
Hon. Dolores Balderamos-Garcia - Minister of Human Development
"We realize in these very lean times that we can't just yank the food assistance program. We will not be able to have as much, but we do have a 3 million there that we can start with. And also, we may be able to move some of the money from other line items in the CAP-2, so that, for example, we may be able to add in another $250,000, and some more money from the CAP-3, if we are able to access it. But, it will depend on the availability of the cash. Now, it will have to be reduced in terms of the clients that we can reach because it really cannot be a free-for-all. And this is one of the difficulties that we have had. I have acknowledged publicly that the vetting process for the BCCAT has been somewhat flawed, but since it is a World Bank project, we really do have to carry on with it up until July or August. But, after that, we will be focusing on food assistance, and I believe that this will be able to take us up to December. Beyond, I can't speak."
Reporter
"What happens when the Prime Minister comes to the nation, and specifically to your ministry, to say look, we really cannot find any more money for the assistance program? What happens to those clients?"
Hon. Dolores Balderamos-Garcia
"I am hoping, gentlemen and ladies of the media, that by then, we would be able to put more of our people back to work. As you know - and I have said it - giving out groceries, yes, to our most vulnerable is a good thing, but really, when you look at it, it's unsustainable. So, our goal has to be putting Belizeans back to work."
Reporter
"How many people - households rather, because that's what you work with in terms of food assistance - will be reached with that 3 million to December?"
Hon. Dolores Balderamos-Garcia
"That I can't answer you right off the bat, the food basket was a value - at least since November - of about between 90 to 95 dollars. We haven't made a final decision yet. So, I don't want to let any cats out of the bag. But, I am thinking that if we reduce the value of the package to maybe 75 dollars, we may be able to stretch it a little bit more."
Channel 7