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Zimbabwe Rains Raise Hopes for Food Production

Columbus Mavhunga

   MUDZI, ZIMBABWE - The World Food Program says it needs $103 million to
   meet urgent food assistance needs in Zimbabwe, where more than half the
   population is food insecure due to recurring droughts and an ailing
   economy.

   Zimbabwe's Mudzi district, on the border with Mozambique, is one of the
   areas most affected by severe food shortages.

   Seventy-five-year-old farmer Justina Marimbindi says years of recurring
   drought decimated her crops and she now depends on monthly handouts of
   cow peas, cooking oil and corn meal.

   "My granary is now empty," she said pointing to her field with stunted
   crop. "We farm but it does not bear fruits. I sold my goats. There is
   no hope that there is anything that will come out of the fields. We now
   depend on these handouts," she added pointing to her handouts from
   U.N.'s WFP.

   But not every Zimbabwean who needs food aid is getting it.

   Ninety-four year-old Rudiya Kuhwenya was turned away at the local
   distribution center.

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