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USAID Information:
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USAID Announces Contribution of 30,000 Metric Tons of Sorghum to the World Food Program for Zimbabwe
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2003-105
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 31, 2003
Contact: USAID Press Office
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced a donation of an additional 30,000 metric tons (MT) of food, valued at $12 million, to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). The food contribution will consist of sorghum grain and is intended for distribution within Zimbabwe.
The U.S. government is the largest single donor of food aid to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe. With this contribution, U.S. government food donations to the WFP for Zimbabwe since November 2001 total more than 298,000 MT, valued at approximately $179 million. In addition, the U.S. has contributed another 169,000 MT of food for distribution in Zimbabwe by a consortium of non-governmental organizations (World Vision, CARE and Catholic Relief Services) that works collaboratively with WFP to provide food assistance in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.
Current estimates indicate that more than five million rural Zimbabweans, nearly half of the population, need food assistance before the next harvest in April. The potential number of food-insecure people in urban centers is less well quantified, but may be as high as one million. Preliminary information suggests that these numbers may increase over the coming months. The U.S. government remains concerned about Zimbabwe's on-going humanitarian crisis, and is committed to providing assistance to the most food-insecure members of the population. To improve the country's ability to respond to the humanitarian needs of the Zimbabwean people, the U.S. government encourages the government of Zimbabwe to institute economic policy reforms that provide incentives for the private sector to play a role in feeding Zimbabweans.
During the ongoing crisis, USAID has also provided approximately $10 million in non-food humanitarian assistance for Zimbabwe to complement and support our food aid programs.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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