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Govt dithers over food aid appeal
Shakeman Mugari, The Zimbabwe Independent
May 06, 2005

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/news/2005/May/Friday6/2282.html

TIME is running out for Zimbabwe to submit its food appeal to the World Food Programme (WFP) and other donors to avert starvation countrywide. Zimbabwe needs more than 1,2 million tonnes of maize to see it through to the next harvest in March.

Government continues to dither over its appeal despite indications that more than 4,5 million people are in urgent need of food. Zimbabwe was expected to launch an SOS soon after the March 31 election but the appeal was deferred after some ministries said they wanted to give their inputs before its submission to donors.

WFP spokesman for Southern Africa Mike Huggins said the food agency had not received Zimbabwe’s food appeal.

"Not at the moment, we have not seen their appeal," Huggins said.

"This is despite reports from there (Zimbabwe) that there might be a need for food in the country especially judging by indications that we have."

The delay could scuttle Zimbabwe’s attempts to get urgent help because it might take months before donors cough up funds for food. Experts say even if government submits its appeal now, it might take three months before food aid starts flowing into the country.

Once an appeal is made, WFP needs time to make further consultations with the needy government. It must also carry out its own assessment before approaching donors for funding.

Donors might also need to carry out their own internal and external consultations before releasing the funds. The WFP will then acquire the food before setting up structures for distribution to needy areas.

Huggins said depending on the situation in the affected country, the process might take between six weeks to three months.

"It really depends on the situation, whether it’s a drought or an earthquake. Sometimes if we have systems already set up it might take about six weeks even though it’s difficult to say. If we don’t have existing structures, it might take longer," Huggins said.

Last year Agriculture minister Joseph Made announced that Zimbabwe was poised for a bumper maize harvest of 2,4 million tonnes. President Mugabe used the unverified claims to bar NGOs from distributing food in rural areas, accusing them of trying to foist food on Zimbabwe. He lashed out at donors and their agencies saying they should take their aid where it was most needed.

However, after a parliamentary portfolio committee on food quashed Made’s claims of a bumper harvest it has become apparent that the country will have to go cap in hand to donors for help.

Meanwhile, humanitarian organisations and civic groups say any delay in food aid would lead to a disaster. The United Nations Children’s Fund, Unicef, this week urged Zimbabwean authorities to accept food aid before the situation gets out of hand.

It said government must allow a "massive United Nations humanitarian food aid operation, otherwise many may die". Unicef said about 5,5 million people were facing serious food shortages after a regional drought.

Zimbabwe needs US$818 million to import food. This will gobble up about 24% of the US$3,1 billion which RBZ governor Gideon Gono said the country would raise from exports and Zimbabweans in the diaspora this year.

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