WINDHOEK, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Namibia and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) will jointly launch a computer-based operating system in Windhoek on Wednesday to help the government better manage its Food Bank operations.
The SCOPE (System for Cash Operations), a software program, will be used to register beneficiaries of Namibia's Food Bank social safety net program. The Food Bank was created in 2016 as part of the southern African nation's efforts to eradicate poverty and alleviate hunger. It delivers monthly food parcels to families in need.
Esther Lusepani, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, said Tuesday that the SCOPE, used to register and redeem benefits for the social program, is set to address challenges the ministry faced over the years in distributing food parcels.
"The system will further aid in reducing cases of duplication," said Tangeni Mwashekele, control administrator of the Food Bank in the ministry.
Namibia's Minister of Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare Zephania Kameeta and WFP's regional director for southern Africa Lola Castro will launch the SCOPE system Wednesday.
The Namibian government currently spends 8.7 percent of its national budget of social safety net programs, including the Food Bank.
SCOPE currently operates in over 54 countries globally on WFP operations.
