South Africa’s more than R170-million food donation through the United Nations World Food Programme touched the hearts of over 200 000 Zimbabweans in Mashonaland West province’s Hurungwe constituency, the SABC reported on Thursday.
The beneficiaries were on the brink of starvation.
The South African delegation of 10 MPs on an assessment of Zimbabwe’s land reform programme visited the constituency after meeting various stakeholders in the country’s land programme.
Drought and disruption of farming activities reduced crop production and left people starving.
”We had gone for three days without food and our children are dropping out of school,” said one villager.
Another says more assistance should come.
The United Nations was still evaluating the situation before recommending more relief aid.
Controversy remains over the issue of displaced farm workers, who have no land and who are desperately trying to make ends meet.
There are strong concerns in the area over the issue of farm workers who have not been put on the list of beneficiaries. Thousands of them are now jobless and living from hand to mouth.
The United Nations World Food Programme says it is concerned and will look into the matter urgently. – Sapa