Food needs increase

Johannesburg, 6 February 2004

An estimated two-thirds of Zimbabwe's rural population will need food aid in the coming two months.

Around five million people, 64% of Zimbabwe's 7.5 million rural people, are estimated to be food insecure and requiring food assistance between
January and March 2004.

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Facing the future

Johannesburg, 14 January 2004

An estimated 75 percent of the population lives
below the poverty line.

Zimbabwe is facing its worst economic crisis ever, with record unemployment, rampant inflation and acute shortages of food, fuel and other essentials.

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A continuing crisis

Johannesburg, 21 November 2003

An estimated 5.5 million people will require food aid
during 2004.

Zimbabweans continue to face a particularly severe humanitarian crisis, with nearly half the population having had their livelihoods eroded by the severe decline in the economy and the precarious food security situation.

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Johannesburg, 31 October 2003

Ensuring that donations get to the needy and underprivileged.

Humanitarian agencies confirm that they will not tolerate any attempts to politicise food aid. Zimbabwe faces a serious maize deficit and although prospects for rain
are good production will be limited because of various shortages.

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Johannesburg, 24 October 2003

Urban areas have largely been ignored by humanitarian agencies responding to the food crisis.

At least 5.5 million Zimbabweans require food aid. The problem affects both Zimbabwe's poorer rural areas and the urban centres.

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Johannesburg, 15 October 2003

Agencies are pooling resources to alleviate suffering.

Over 4 million people in Zimbabwe are facing food scarcity and HIV/AIDS is compounding their vulnerability. The numbers are expected to rise to well
over 5 million between January and April 2004.

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Johannesburg, 8 October 2003

Officials fear prevention programmes could come
too late.

Zimbabwe lies in southern Africa’s malaria zone and averages between 1 000 and
1 500 deaths from malaria a year.

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Johannesburg, 5 September 2003

New food distribution control policy raises concern.

A new policy drawn up by government regarding food distribution in the country allows WFP and its partners to deliver food to distribution points, but government would then be responsible for the selection and physical distribution.

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Johannesburg, 13 August 2003

Acute shortages of maize, cereal and inputs add to the humanitarian crisis.

The government has appealed for humanitarian assistance from the WFP to alleviate the food crisis, which looks set to worsen.

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Johannesburg, 8 August 2003

As bank notes run out people face limited withdrawals or are refused access to their money.

Bank notes have become increasingly scarce over the last three months as inflation, now running at 365%, created a surge in demand for cash.

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Johannesburg, 25 July 2003

With inflation rising people are in desperate need of food aid.

Inflation is at an all time high making survival for the urban poor an everyday struggle. Government has appealed to donors for food aid.

Full Abstract

Johannesburg, 18 July 2003

The current humanitarian crisis has severely affected households leaving thousands of children homeless.

As the crisis worsens 60% of the population is living below the poverty line and life expectancy has dropped to 35 years.

Full Abstract

Johannesburg, 11 July 2003

A number of factors affecting the economy have lead
to a shortage of bread, a staple food for many
poor households.

The country’s cereal deficit is not receding and low wheat production has contributed to the bread shortage.

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Johannesburg, 4 July 2003

A number of initiatives focusing on various diseases, especially HIV/AIDS, have been launched.

Children, the most vulnerable members of society, are too often left too fend for themselves as HIV/AIDS and other diseases kill adults.

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Johannesburg, 2 July 2003

Acute shortages continue to bring hardships.

The economy’s critical state leaves the majority of the population unable to meet basic needs.

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Johannesburg, 26 June 2003

The decline in the economy, the impact of the drought  and HIV/AIDS have severely affected production.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) stated in a crop and food supply report for southern African that there has been a 90% drop in production in large-scale commercial farming since the 1990s.

Full Abstract

Johannesburg, 6 June 2003

Zimbabwe’s currency shortages require immediate attention.

Zimbabwe's banks are helpless amid severe currency shortages, which have left thousands of workers facing the prospect of no cash at month's end to buy
food and pay bills.

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Johannesburg, 30 May 2003

The food crisis in Zimbabwe is likely to continue due to a range of issues preventing farmers from planting.

Prospects are looking grim for Zimbabwe's winter wheat harvest with many farmers unable to plant or tend their crops following equipment theft, and shortages of foreign currency and fuel.

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Johannesburg, 15 May 2003

Organisations are working together to assist people hit by the severe food crisis, the declining economy and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The Zimbabwe Food Security Assessment for 2002/3 reported that out of the country's 14 million people who require food aid, 2.6 million of those severely affected are in the communal areas.

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Johannesburg, 8 May 2003

Two assessments are underway that will assist agencies in preparing to meet expected food
needs in 2004.

South Africa has donated more than R170 million to assist the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to eliminate the current food shortages in Zimbabwe.

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Johannesburg, 30 April 2003

Government lifts its freeze on the movement of grain.

Recent developments confirmed that the government has relaxed regulations on the movement of grain allowing transporters to carry up to 10 tonnes of grain to serve people in drought-stricken areas.

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Johannesburg, 25 April 2003

The recent 300% fuel price increase has meant increased hardship for workers and commuters and more problems for the economy.

The acute fuel shortage forced thousands of people to cancel plans to travel to family homes in rural areas over the Easter and Independence Day holidays, and left a number of motorists stranded.

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Johannesburg, 16 April 2003

Urban areas suffer as the drought and economic crisis take their toll.

The food crisis continues as the drought and economic collapse drain the country’s resources. Food is even scarce for people who have money and now relief food
is being distributed to urban as well as rural areas.

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Johannesburg, 2 April 2003

The government has raised the Grain Marketing Board’s purchase price to encourage farmers.

The price change has encouraged farmers to increase production in order to
combat food shortages.

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Johannesburg, 26 March 2003

Poverty has left many totally dependent on food aid.

Zimbabwe is threatened with another year of food shortages as a consequence of drought, insufficient farm inputs and the disruption of production by the fast-track land reform programme.

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Johannesburg, 14 March 2003

Men and women struggle everyday to fight this disease.

HIV/AIDS infection rates amongst women now exceed those for men in sub-Saharan Africa. This is leading to the collapse of family structures and leaving many
children to fend for themselves.

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