Emergency aid from Aalen for food
Vilankulo has been hit hard by the lockdown
The town partnership between Aalen and Vilankulo had just got off to such a good start when the pandemic struck with full force. Unfortunately, the planned delegation trip by Aalen representatives to Vilankulo in May 2020 had to be cancelled due to coronavirus. Some projects are sadly on hold. But it is precisely emergency situations that bring people together, as in this case.
The most pressing problem, however, is the food shortage. As in many other regions of Mozambique, food prices are skyrocketing in Vilankulo. The months-long lockdown has disrupted the supply chains in Mozambique. Supply shortages are occurring everywhere.
Emergency aid for food distribution
In the summer of 2020, many people from Aalen responded to a spontaneous DMG appeal for donations, raising 7,000 euros in emergency aid to buy food in Vilankulo. The town of Aalen topped up the donation by a further 1,000 euros. With this money, around 600 particularly vulnerable families in Vilankulo could be provided with staple foods such as rice, flour, sugar, cooking oil and salt for about a month. Protective masks and soap were also handed out. The distribution drew a great deal of positive response in Vilankulo, and local television and newspapers reported on it. Staying at home to protect oneself from the virus is not an option for many people in Vilankulo who, as smallholder farmers and traders, depend on the markets. The food donations and the free protective masks help at least a little.
The joy over the food donations from Germany is great
In Vilankulo, 600 families in need were able to be provided with the essentials thanks to the food donation.
