Issued by: Ministry Social Development
21 August 2001
The Minister of Social Development Dr Zola Skweyiya in conjunction with the Department of Home Affairs, and the Eastern Cape Province have deployed a special task team of 10 people to assist children dying of malnutrition as well as their families in Mt Frere area.
"We are sending this team to make sure that the conditions of children are immediately improved particularly in relation to reducing malnutrition as well as access to government services especially child support grant" said the Minister.
Alongside, the Department of Home Affairs will be deploying mobile vehicles to ensure that they reach out and quickly access communities in terms of registration for Child Support Grant, availability of birth certificates as well as Identity documents.
The minister of Social Development has already allocated 2 million to assist in that area.
The task team will be looking at the following:
Meanwhile the Minister of Social Development and Home Affairs are expected to visit the area soon to outline sustainable measures that will be undertaken for poverty eradication.
"I call on all the people of Mt Frere and the surrounding areas, the business sector, NGO's, FBO, Civil Society as well as individuals to work closely to ensure speedy resolution to the current crisis in the area, concluded the Minister.
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