The Minister of Finance has announced an increase in social grants to cushion vulnerable members of society against the rising cost of food prices.

Iipumbu Shiimi made the much-welcomed announcement in Parliament on Tuesday as he delivered the mid-term budget for the years 2022 to 2023.

The Finance Minister said N$5.2 million has been added to the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare's budget to make the increases possible.

Backdated to October 2022, the food bank recipients' grants will be increased from N$500 to N$600 per month.

Minister Shiimi also announced a N$97 million boost to cater for the increase in disability grants for beneficiaries under the age of 18, from N$250 to N$1300 effective from the 2023/24 financial year.

"Cognisant of the cost of living pressures, further provision has been made to increase the monthly old age grant, the disability grant, as well as the orphans and vulnerable children's grant by N$100 effective 2023/24, should resources permit."

Pensioners, the disabled, orphans, and vulnerable children grant recipients all breathed a sigh of relief as their monthly payments were increased by N$100.

Shiimi also added that allocations were made in the additional budget for the operations of the national census and the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly Elections, as well as the Regional and Local Authorities Elections slated for 2024.