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ACT Alert
Zimbabwe
- 1/2001
Drought
& Floods Cause Food Shortages
Geneva,
11 May, 2001
Most parts of Zimbabwe faced a dry spell at the beginning of the
rain season especially during the month of January after most of the
planted crop had germinated. The dry spell wilted most of the young
crop putting Zimbabwe’s food security position in further jeopardy
given the country’s rapid economic decline from the current unstable
political situation. Then in February and March, unexpected heavy
rains pounded most of the country causing floods especially in the
Northern parts of the country. The Zambezi basin areas of Mzarabani,
Dande, and Guruve districts were worst affected mainly due to the
proximity to the Zambezi river and the back flow of water from the
Cahosa Bassa dam in Mozambique. It was reported that an estimated
11,000 people were forced to flee their homes, 30,000 hectares of
crops were destroyed, roads and bridges were extensively damaged and
for several weeks some of the places were only accessible by helicopter.
The Zimbabwe government appealed for US$2.4million in emergency aid.
The two main ACT members in Zimbabwe, Christian Care (CC)
and the Lutheran Development Service (LDS) are proposing to
respond to the needs of the affected people. The Christian Care proposes
to respond in five regions; Mashonaland, Midlands, Matebeleland, Manicaland
and Masvingo and their main areas of response would be; relief food,
nutrition, water and sanitation, and shelter. The Lutheran Development
Service would like to provide; relief food through food for work,
and also school feeding programs in Masvingo, Midlands, and Matebele
South. Both organizations were in last year’s appeal responding to
the major floods disaster that affected the entire Southern African
region.
An appeal is under preparation for this proposed response, and we
would appreciate your indications in supporting it. The appeal target
is likely to be around US$3 million.
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