An assessment of the effectiveness of food aid in hunger alleviation in mutare district: a case for ward 29

This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of food aid in alleviating hunger in ward 29 of Mutare District through establishing the nature and assessing the benefits of food aid. A questionnaire was distributed to forty six (46) households in order to collect primary data for the study. Five (5) interviews two focus group discussions were done with five (5) headmen from different villages an average of six respondents per group respectively. The research was conducted April and August of 2012-2013 phase. From the results, food aid played a significant role in improving food security status of households. Fifty percent (50%) of the respondents were dependent on food aid and these highlighted that food aid has totally enhanced their food security status. The respondents could afford three (3) meals per day and had improved diets. Social improvements in form of increased school attendance were also noted. The study recommended that in order to reduce vulnerability to hunger, the aid implementers must also provide small grain seeds, which are drought resistant and more adaptable to the semi arid conditions of the study area.