The Zimbabwean government has once again taken its begging bowl to the donor community for financial assistance, despite claims that Zimbabwe can go it alone.
Highly placed sources at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said a number of government ministries have been engaged in talks with the UNDP over the past two months.
“Government is seeking assistance in almost all facets of the economy ranging from food, drugs, farming inputs and equipment with emphasis on the ‘social sector’,” a source said.
“On the food side, government has classified its appeal as ‘food required for targeted feeding programmes’.”
Targeted feeding programmes were launched to address the food needs of the aged, orphans, the chronically ill and other special needs welfare cases in both urban and rural communities in Zimbabwe.
Sources said the UNDP had also received proposals from the Agriculture Ministry to assist newly-resettled farmers. The ministry is appealing for seed, fertilisers, chemicals and other farming inputs.
Production in the agricultural sector has plummeted by over 70% in the past five years as a direct result of the chaotic land reform programme that has reduced the once vibrant commercial farming sector to subsistence farming.
The Famine Early Warning Systems Network and World Food Programme say that about 3,3-million people will need food assistance in the lean months from December to March. – Zimbabwe Independent