Food assistance for 500 people affected by the drought in the districts of Massangena, Mapai, Chicualacuala and Xigubo, in the north of Gaza province, will begin in the second half of this month.

The announcement, according to Radio Mocambique, was made this Saturday in the city of Xai-Xai by the focal point for Anticipatory Actions to Drought at the National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (INGD) in Gaza.

Flávio Aires said that each family would receive a voucher worth 3,500 meticais to buy food for three months.

"We have the latest assistance which is part of the integrated emergency response project package being coordinated by INGD and two partners," he said.

According to the source, the assistance is expected to reach 500 families. Flávio Aires was speaking this Saturday on the panel of Radio Mozambique's "Linha Directa" program.