§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her estimate is of how many people are suffering from famine in each province of Zimbabwe; what steps she is taking to ensure British aid supplies reach all areas of Zimbabwe; and if she will make a statement on the amount of British or British-supported food aid delivered to each province of that country in each month of 2002. [91255]
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§ Clare ShortThe SADC vulnerability assessment in September 2002 estimated that 6.7 million people are in need of food aid in Zimbabwe. By province and major urban areas, the numbers in need are as follows:
Number Bulawayo 167,077 Harare 395,566 Manicaland 976,455 Mashonaland Central 704,392 Mashonaland East 779,671 Mashonaland West 739,359 Masvingo 977,783 Matabeleland North 515,872 Matabeleland South 418,251 Midlands 975,155 The number in need was revised up by 500,000 in December, with the increase in Mashonaland, largely of former commercial farmworkers.
DFID-funded assistance is provided through a number of partners focusing on the most vulnerable districts in Zimbabwe. However, to produce this data by province by month would involve a disproportionate effort. DFID's Zimbabwe staff are based in country and their efforts are focused on implementation and monitoring of our assistance.
§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to ensure that humanitarian organisations can deliver aid in Zimbabwe without interference by the Government of that country; and of what interference she received reports in 2002. [91256]
§ Clare ShortIt is a fundamental principle of the international community working in Zimbabwe and elsewhere that food aid is delivered on the basis of need alone, and is not politically determined.
The EU has established guidelines to ensure food distribution in Zimbabwe is apolitical and transparent. Our bilateral feeding programmes through NGOs use the same criteria. The WFP also works through NGOs under an agreement with the Government of Zimbabwe that enshrines this principle.
The UN and donors closely monitor events on the ground to ensure that principles and agreements are honoured. If obstruction does occur, we work closely in support of the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator and WFP in engaging with the GoZ to ensure the obstruction is dealt with and food distribution resumed as quickly as possible.
Two major incidents of interference were reported during 2002; the obstruction of operations by Save the Children UK in Binga, and the seizure of WFP food in Insiza prior to a parliamentary by-election. Both issues were successfully resolved and feeding has now resumed.
Some commentators have failed to distinguish between political bias in the distribution of food by the Government of Zimbabwe, which is widespread and the principles of distribution according to need which are being adhered to by the international community.