Following its decision to lockdown Kigali, its capital, the Rwanda authorities have begun the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives to vulnerable families in affected by the restriction.
News Central reports that the Rwandan government had, on Monday, imposed a 15-day lockdown on Kigali to curb the spread coronavirus after a surge in cases in the capital.
All movements outside homes require an approved permit from the police, except for essential service providers.
However, to help some 3,000 families – identified as the most vulnerable – cope with the lockdown the government is distributing food rations to households.
Local and international reports said that as of Thursday evening households have started receiving sacks of rice, maize flour and beans.
Some 3,000 families have been identified as the most vulnerable. The city has a population of about one million people.
There have been concerns that hundreds of thousands of residents who live hand to mouth would face hunger during the lockdown.
The authorities have assured that food will reach the most vulnerable, as well as poor Covid-19 patients being treated at home.
The rations were being delivered by volunteers who had tested negative before the programme started, city officials said.
A free phone line is available for requests from “those who want and merit the food aid to be delivered at their doorsteps”.
On Thursday Rwanda reported nine Covid-19 deaths, the highest daily fatalities so far, and 310 new cases.