News article I wrote while Information Officer for Action by Churches Together (ACT) International
ACT members in Zimbabwe respond in worsening situation
Geneva, November 5, 2003—Members of the global alliance Action by Churches Together (ACT) International in Zimbabwe say they are “extremely concerned” by the humanitarian and economic situation there. Lutheran Development Service (LDS) and Christian Care note a continued decline in the country’s situation, despite some signs of recovery in neighbouring countries.
The members have been operating relief programs since 2001. Citing many difficult conditions, they say there are no signs of the emergency letting up.
The coming “hungry season” will be much more serious than the previous one. Only a third of the maize harvest is expected, resulting in the loss of another productive growing season. This is due to the acute shortage of seed and high cost of fertiliser. Public health services have been declining, causing a rise in deaths of mothers giving birth and children under 5. Economic growth is in its fifth consecutive year of decline, which has a serious impact on living conditions. Food may be available in the cities, but is unaffordable to many. Inflation is expected to reach 800 percent by the end of the year. Some families have an income from jobs, but it is extremely hard for those who do not have an income. Zimbabwe cannot even pay the interest on its external debt.
LDS’s immediate priority is distributing seeds to people so they can plant crops. There is a critical shortage of seed in the country, and it has to be imported. Time for planting is running out, and therefore what people can plant will not produce enough, a situation which will perpetuate the food crisis in the coming year.
LDS is also attempting to get food relief to people to prevent them from eating the seeds when they are distributed. “The ideal situation is to bring the two together, to have the food and have the seed distributed at the same time to the people so each is used as intended,” says Sibongile Baker, LDS director. “It is bad,” says Baker about the food situation.
Referring to the continuing drought, Solomon Vudzijena, former acting director of LDS, says, “The situation might not change. But it might get worse.”
Information provided by Lutheran Development Service and Christian Care.
