§ 9. Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe. [1645091]
§ Hilary BennThe humanitarian crisis continues to be fuelled by a number of factors including the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Government of Zimbabwe's misguided economic policies, the fast track land programme, and late rains. Up to 8 million Zimbabweans are currently facing food shortages prior to the harvest in April 2004. In addition, the Government of Zimbabwe is increasingly incapable of providing basic social services such as water and sanitation, health and education to its population.
The 2004 harvest may provide less than half the food needs of the population, mainly due to lack of seeds, fertilizer and other agricultural inputs. Even with a change in the political climate, the need for a humanitarian response in Zimbabwe will continue at least until the April 2005 harvest, and possibly beyond.