The department has signed a memorandum of understanding with the community food bank network in South Africa to set up food banks throughout the country to ensure an adequate food supply to poor households. Food banks are mechanisms to collect and distribute food from retailers, small-scale producers and other suppliers to communities in need but also to facilitate the production of particularly fresh vegetables and fresh produce by those communities themselves, as part and parcel of ensuring food security. We will strengthen our support to NGOs, which provide a variety of services to the poor and vulnerable. We are particularly keen to support the gender- based-violence sector and other organisations that advocate for women's rights and empowerment.