More than a million need food aid in Zimbabwe ahead of El Niño system
More than a million people are in need of food aid in Zimbabwe and the number could rise due to an increased likelihood of an El Niño weather system during the 2018-2019 rainy season in Southern Africa. Famine Early Warning Systems (Fews)‚ a think-tank on food insecurity operating in 34 countries‚ says in a report that the situation is aggravated by low or poor agrarian activity and a bad economy‚ due to both man-made and natural causes. "Poor households are engaged in typical livelihood activities‚ though income from these activities is lower than normal. Crop sales are limited due to low production‚ and casual labour opportunities, and labour rates are lower than normal, due primarily to liquidity challenges‚" the report said. During the run-up to the July 30 elections‚ the governing Zanu-PF resorted to vote-buying‚ particularly in the poorest parts of the country, such as Matabeleland North and South. Through a government budget‚ the party rolled out command livestock‚ a programm...
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