Zimbabwe may face famine due to wilting crops, organisation says
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
- 17 September 2011: Zimbabwe minister warns media
- 27 June 2011: Funeral held for former Zambian President Frederick Chiluba
- 9 April 2011: White farmer who beat Mugabe in court over land seizures, dies
- 10 September 2010: Air Zimbabwe pilots 'face dismissal' over pay strike
- 5 August 2010: Mass panic as Zimbabwean officials fake air crash
The US-funded Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWSNET) has said that Zimbabwe may face famine this year, due to wilting crops caused by poor rains. The organisation added that more than two million Zimbabweans would require food aid between now and March.
“Since December, below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures continue to help strengthen seasonal moisture deficits across central Mozambique, southern Malawi, southern Madagascar and southern Zimbabwe,” FEWSNET said.
FEWSNET remarked that low amounts and rainfall, coupled with high temperatures, could result in crop failures in regions like Masvingo, Gwanda, Bulawayo and part of Manicaland.
It also said that the World Food Programme is intending to increase food aid measures in the country. FEWSNET's estimate for the number of food-insecure people in Zimbabwe is now at 2.2 million, above the 1.7 million estimate for October through December.
[edit] Sources
- "Zimbabwe may face famine disaster" — Eyewitness News, January 18, 2010
- "Zim faces hunger as crops wilt" — Zim Online, January 18, 2010
