Millions risk starvation in
Zimbabwe
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| Zimbabwe drought crisis (ANSA) |
The UN says Zimbabwe is facing a food crisis, with more than
five million people in need of food aid.
By Lydia O'Kane
Zimbabwe is in the grip of a drought that is threatening
millions in the country with starvation.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday declared the drought
a national disaster.
The situation has been compounded a by cyclone and an
economic crisis which has seen basic items such as rice and sugar double in
price since June.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has launched
an appeal for $331.5 million to help over 5 million people that need food aid.
Assistance for those in need
The funds will be used for food aid, provision of water,
sanitation and cash based assistance said the Head of Communications for WFP in
the Zimbabwean capital Harare, Ashley Baxstrom.
Recent harvests have been severely affected by the drought
which has taken its toll on both rural and urban areas, she noted. “The failure
of the crops is going to affect the entire population, so we do also have some
assessments going to look at food security; those are being undertaken by the
government, UN and other partners to look at the food security situation in the
urban areas as well.”
She added, “currently this month we’re trying to feed about
515,000; in October we look to scale up to over 1.7 million and then 2 million
by January again which is the peak of the season.”
Worsening situation
Asked if the current drought was likely to worsen Ms
Baxstrom said, “unfortunately it looks like the situation could continue to
deepen. There is no way to really predict this course but current outlets are
looking that this season could continue to extend on into the next year.”
The UN had previously appealed for $294 million, but as the
impact of the drought has worsened, it needs more funding.
Zimbabwe which was known as the bread basket of Africa has
been engulfed in years of political turmoil.
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