Digital food baskets are pivotal in helping Kenya flatten the COVID-19 curve by ensuring poor households continue to get uninterrupted food supply when their breadwinners lose a source of income or are forced to survive on a pay cut.
Apptivate Africa Chief Executive officer, Neil Ribeiro said current restriction of movement has made it difficult for many households to put food on the table making them susceptible to infections on account of low nutrient intake and reduced immunity.
“While social distancing, hand washing, curfews, and quarantine can flatten the curve, We must also consider the role food and nutrients play in boosting immunity and help people especially in depressed households to fight the virus,” said Mr. Ribeiro.
He said promoting healthy eating using technology could make a bigger difference in containing the virus on a national scale.
The voucher, M-Kapu complements government efforts of controlling the spread of the virus by allowing employers, government, religious organizations, individual donors, and non-governmental organizations to seamlessly fund and distribute essential food items to needy households through a digital wallet.
It allows organizations to create dedicated accounts for employees and other beneficiaries, set food value limits that can be redeemed in food stores and supermarkets, and Jumia food countrywide.
“We have negotiated special baskets with Jumia, Tuskys, and Chandarana Food Plus countrywide with an in-store pick-up or home delivery option. This will ensure that households can get this benefit without a logistical headache,” said Ribeiro.
Businesses with reduced revenues, who are probably thinking about how they will keep the business going for anywhere between 4 months and a year are highly recommended to subscribe to M-Kapu to boost the morale and immunity of staff on unpaid leave.
Ribeiro argues that food and rent are the two key expenses that an employee, who has agreed to go on unpaid leave, will continue to incur. While the payment of rent could be negotiated or delayed, food is a basic human need.
“When your business turns and you want the employees to come back to work, you want to make sure that they are loyal, healthy, and motivated. Ensuring that they and their families do not go hungry is one way to accomplish this,” said Mr. Ribeiro.
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