Zimbabwe needs $415 mln in food aid
02/12/2010 20:03:00
HARARE, 2 December – The United Nations on Thursday appealed for 415 million
dollars (315 million euros) to feed almost two million Zimbabweans facing
near immediate malnutrition.
“An estimated 1.7 million Zimbabweans will face severe food insecurity in
the peak hunger period of January to March 2011,” Alain Noudehou, the UN’s
humanitarian coordinator for Zimbabwe, told journalists in Harare.
“To assist the most vulnerable with humanitarian and early recovery
assistance, the 2011 consolidated appeal requests a total of 415 million
dollars.”
Noudehou said one in every three children in Zimbabwe is chronically
malnourished and hunger contributes to nearly 12,000 child deaths each year.
Zimbabwe has experienced a decade of acute food shortages brought on by
drought and President Robert Mugabe’s land reforms, which crippled farm
production.
However, the sum requested for 2011 is down on the 478 million dollars asked
to feed 2.17 million people last year, and marks a significant improvement
from the disastrous 2008 harvest, which left seven million people needing
food aid.
The southern African country has been showing signs of recovery since the
formation of a power-sharing deal between Mugabe and rival Morgan Tsvangirai
to ease political tensions and mend an economy ravaged by years of
hyperinflation. (AFP)
Zanu PF have hijacked the food aid programme
Zanu PF members in most parts of rural Mashonaland have hijacked the food aid programme and are giving the donations only to those who are known card carrying Zanu PF supporters. In Muzarabani North district, Mashonaland East province, food aid donated by the World Vision, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) is being distributed through the councillors and headmen, who have formed food committees with known Zanu PF people. As a result MDC supporters and most vulnerable people are being excluded.
Another NGO, Christian Care is giving food distribution in Uzumba. But this has been seized by a Zanu PF councillor, only identified as Manguwo who is excluding MDC families. In the same districts, reports received show that government seed is being sold at subsidized prices but known MDC activists and supporters are being excluded.
In Mbire district, Mashonaland Central province, members of the Zimbabwe National Army are moving around in the area forcing everyone to purchase Zanu PF membership cards for $US1.00 saying that if anyone is found without one, they will be beaten. The soldiers have base at the Lower Guruve Development Association offices. In Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central province, chiefs are reportedly selling Zanu PF membership cards for $US2.00.
Meanwhile, Hwange senator, Hon. Jabulani Ndlovu who died on Wednesday at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo will be buried on Saturday in Victoria Falls. Senator Ndlovu passed on after being involved in a car accident along the Hwange – Victoria Falls road last month. Mourners are gathered at Number 116 Collen Road, Leeside, Bulawayo.
Together, united, winning, ready for real change!
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MDC Information & Publicity Department