30 October 2008
Methodist Church warns of worsening humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe
The Methodist Church in Britain is warning that the
humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe is likely to worsen over the coming
months.
Reports from Zimbabwe indicate that famine is set to grip the
African country that has been ravaged by six poor harvests and
economic collapse. The combination of the worst drought for a
decade and bad government policies, along with lack of seeds and
fertiliser, are proving disastrous.
The World Food Programme has estimated that 28 per cent of
children under five are malnourished and vulnerable to disease.
Many rural families only get one meal a day, but food aid stocks
are running out. The number of people requiring food aid is
expected to rise to around five million, or 45 per cent of the
population, by January 2009.
Roy Crowder, Partnership Coordinator for World Church
Relationships with special responsibility for Africa, said: 'The
stalemate in negotiations between MDC and Zanu-PF is making the
situation even worse. This is a time when people should be planting
for the following year, but the economy is devastated and seeds and
fertiliser are in short supply. The delay in achieving a viable
political agreement threatens to prolong the economic and
humanitarian crisis.'
When the ban on aid agencies operating in Zimbabwe was lifted last
month, the Methodist Relief and Development Fund launched an appeal
to deliver food and agricultural support to vulnerable people in
partnership with ACT International. Roy said: 'We urge people to
support the Methodist Relief and Development Fund appeal because
the current crisis is expected to result in catastrophe in the next
few months.'
Donations to MRDF's appeal for Zimbabwe can be made by debit or
credit card on 020 7224 4814, or by cheque, payable to "MRDF
(Zimbabwe emergency)", posted to MRDF, Methodist Church House, 25
Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR.
Taxpayers are encouraged to gift aid their donations where
possible, adding a value of 28p to every pound they give, at no
extra personal cost.