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WFP Emergency Report No. 31of 2006
United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)
August 04, 2006

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/HMYT-6SCSB8?OpenDocument&rc=1&cc=zwe

Zimbabwe
(a) Currency reforms introduced recently with the declared aim of dealing with some of the effects of hyperinflation of nearly 1,200 percent have complicated WFP's operations in Zimbabwe. New currency denominations were introduced on 1 August 2006 and old bank notes will be phased out within three weeks. The Central Bank further devalued the currency by 60 percent.

(b) There was a general increase in the prices of maize grain on the open market in the South and South East linked with difficulties traders are facing, such as police roadblocks, rising transport and packaging costs.

(c) In a bid to curb the unofficial movement of maize grain, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has mounted check-points in regional highways in the East in an effort to channel all grain sales through the GMB where farmers are paid Z$ 31.5 million per ton (US$ 83/ton) compared to Z$ 40 (US$ 105/ton) million per ton in the parallel market.(UN exchange rate US$ 1 = Z$ 380,000).

(d) In August 2006, WFP plans to continue assisting approximately 900,000 food insecure people through targeted programmes, including assistance for mobile and vulnerable persons, home based care for the chronically ill, support for orphans and vulnerable children, school feeding and family child health and nutrition support. Some 5,000 tons will be distributed.

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