About two years ago, more than
8,000 elderly people in the Mecanhelas District, in the Niassa province of
northern Mozambique, were waiting for their social subsidy.
The beneficiaries, who never
lost hope, expected to receive the accumulated amount corresponding to the
delayed years—2023 and 2024. This week, the government, through the National
Institute of Social Action (INAS), began the payments, surprisingly, with a net
amount for only two months: January and February of this year.
The beneficiaries expressed
their satisfaction at the resumption of the program, since the non-payment of
this subsidy had aggravated their vulnerability.
"We were in a critical
hunger situation. With this amount, we will buy maize," said one of the
elderly beneficiaries in the Mangazi neighborhood.
Ernesto Bistala, another
beneficiary who also lives in the area, expressed similar satisfaction: "I
am happy, with the money I will buy maize."
Despite their satisfaction, the
beneficiaries have not forgotten the two-year debt and are asking for a
disbursement.
"Right now, I’m very happy
to receive it, but I’m a bit sad because we haven’t received anything for two
years, and I’m asking not to be forgotten," said Carolina Mwanheue, a
beneficiary living in the Namicopo neighborhood, lamenting the debt.
The Administrator of the
Mecanhelas District, José Achida Assane, who witnessed the payment ceremony, assured
in an interview with Mozanorte that the overdue years will remain as a debt,
with the hope that they will be paid.
Meanwhile, the coordinator of
INAS in the Cuamba delegation, Judite Paissene, informed this news outlet that
the ongoing payment is part of the implementation of the 100-day action plan of
the current Government of Mozambique.
In the Mecanhelas District,
almost 8,800 people are part of the Basic Social Subsidy Program, of which
about 5,200 are women. (Jaime Paculeque)
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