Food Assistance
“Half ah loaf better than no loaf”- Belize City resident benefitting from COVID-19 relief.”
On Wednesday, April 15, the effective food assistance relief for COVID-19 actually rolled out in Belize City. Hundreds of residents across the city lined up at grocery stores and other distribution centers to receive assistance that was promised by the Government of Belize.
One resident we spoke with explained that she was happy for the help. “Half ah loaf better than no loaf!” Another exclaimed, “we are so happy for this! It could not come any sooner!”
As hundreds braved the afternoon sun, workers inside the stores bagged off the basic necessities: rice, flour, sugar, beans, Clorox, soap, soap powder, raw chicken and other amenities that were quickly hauled away by the waiting beneficiaries.
The program is part of a direct food assistance program by the Government of Belize. Hon. Michael Finnegan says that the government has secured ten million dollars which was used to purchase the groceries. He assured that the distribution is being carried out in a non-partisan manner. Persons were asked to apply online and if they were accepted they were notified by the Ministry of Human Development and issued an identification number and a location where the food assistance was to be picked up.
The food distribution is augmenting the already existing food pantry program and the BOOST program; however, if persons are already benefitting from either of those, they do not qualify for this COVID-19 food assistance. The program is expected to run for three months with the possibility of it being extended. Each beneficiary can pick up their package once every two weeks.
In addition to this program, the existing Food Pantry Program will continue to be implemented.
19,000 receive Financial Aid
The Guardian has confirmed that some 18,600 persons have been approved for financial aid due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Three weeks ago the Government implemented a financial assistance program where persons who had lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic would benefit. These persons who lost their jobs will be provided with $150 every two weeks. Additionally, persons who have been unemployed even before the pandemic can qualify to receive $100 every two weeks.
Economic Czar appointed to implement the program, Sen. Hon. Dr. Carla Barnett explains that there have been a total of 64,200 applications that were received. Of those 7,248 were approved and sent to the Social Security Board on Monday. These persons should have already received the finances in their accounts by now.
Approximately 11,350 additional persons were approved between Tuesday night and Wednesday and those have also been sent to the SSB for payment. These payments will be made before the end of the week.
