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UN Seeks $21 Million for Food Security in Zimbabwe amid Lockdown

Columbus Mavhunga

   HARARE - The United Nations says it needs $21 million to ease food
   insecurity in Zimbabwe as the country deals with measures imposed to
   stop the spread of the coronavirus. The government says it is going to
   release funds to help people most affected by the COVID-19 lockdown,
   such as the old and the unemployed.

   In a recent analysis, United Nations experts said 45 percent of
   Zimbabwe's rural population is either in "crisis" or "emergency" mode
   in terms of food security.

   The analysis said the situation is likely to worsen with the
   coronavirus pandemic.

   The World Food Program is stepping in to try to ease the impact.

   Via Whatsapp, Claire Nevill, the WFP spokeswoman in Zimbabwe, said the
   U.N. agency has increased the number of food distribution points to
   limit overcrowding and distributed protective clothing, among other
   hygienic measures, to curb the spread of the disease.

   But Nevill said the WFP needs more funding.

   "In order to provide food assistance to almost four million vulnerable
   Zimbabweans, in the context of these new health and safety measures,
   WPF requires an additional $21 million for the next six months. This
   funding shortfall is on top of an existing gap of $130 million faced by
   WFP Zimbabwe for the next six months. Our assessments show that the
   harvest will be much later this year. Until then this food assistance
   is critical to save millions across the country," she said.

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