Africa’s wealthiest city says 1 million people need food aid
JOHANNESBURG – Almost one million people in Johannesburg, South Africa’s commercial hub, are in need of food aid due to movement restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus pandemic, according to its mayor.
While South Africa has less than 9,000 infections, it’s still one of the highest numbers on the continent. The government imposed a lockdown late March that shuttered schools and businesses and only allowed essential workers out of their homes. Today, about 300,000 households in Johannesburg require food assistance, mayor Geoff Makhubo said in an interview.
“As more and more people get unemployed, the incidences of poverty and food insecurity start to increase,” Makhubo said by phone. “Social distress is something that is real.”
Source: iol.co.za
