Over 2 million people in Zimbabwe to require food assistance by early next year: UN

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Over 2 million people in Zimbabwe to require food assistance by early next year: UN

(Xinhua) 08:21, October 30, 2013

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UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 29 -- Some 2.2 million Zimbabweans will need food assistance in the pre-harvest period from January to March next year, the UN food agency said on Tuesday, warning that food security in the southern African country continues to deteriorate.

Harsh weather conditions, the high cost or lack of available fertilizers and seeds, and the prospect of high food prices due to poor harvest, have all contributed to high food insecurity levels, the World Food Program (WFP) said in its latest assessment of the country.

The food security situation is at it worst since 2009, with the national maize harvest being less than last year's 1 million metric tons, and less than the country's requirement of 2.1 million metric tons, the UN News Center reported here, quoting a WFP spokesperson as saying in Geneva.

Grain prices are currently 23 percent higher than this time last year, and many people have exhausted their personal stocks and are relying on buying cereals from the market. Job opportunities are also scarce and cash flow is a major challenge.

The government of Zimbabwe has requested international support for food assistance to meet the growing needs. In response, WFP is launching a relief program in the worst-affected areas this month and will gradually scale up assistance over coming months, the report said.

This month, WFP and partners will begin food distributions and will expand its operations until the end of March when the next harvest comes. Three distributions will start in three districts of Midlands and Matabeleland North provinces, and will be scaled up to 19 districts in November, 38 in December, and 41 districts from January to March.

（Editor：LiangJun、Yao Chun）