HC Deb 03 November 2003 vol 412 cc502-3W
Mr. Robathan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action he has taken to encourage the Zimbabwean Government to end the ban on importation of grain by private entrepreneurs and other organisations. [135340]

Hilary Benn

Given the substantial food aid needs in Zimbabwe, this issue is a high priority. Together with the other major donors (EU and USAID), we are promoting the liberalisation of imports and promotion of the private sector through the UN agencies, and especially the world food programme. Increased liberalisation of the domestic grain markets is also required as the present prices and controls make private grain imports uneconomic.

The Government's national economic revival programme (N ERP) indicates that the private sector have an important role to play in addressing the humanitarian needs. Government, however, continue to be reluctant to liberalise grain trading and marketing and to allow the private sector a more significant role. If anything, the political initiatives at present tend towards greater control and more controlled prices.

Mr. Robathan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures(a) his Department and (b) non-governmental organisations have taken to assess the (i) nutritional and (ii) food security status of all populations in Zimbabwe. [135345]

Hilary Benn

In January 2003, DFID provided £2.58 million to Unicef to undertake nutrition surveys and emergency supplementary feeding programmes in four countries affected by the food security crisis in southern Africa. This included Zimbabwe, where £0.25 million was spent on a nutrition survey. The field work was undertaken in February 2003 and the results were shared with the donor community in June 2003.

In addition, DFID has been the major contributor to the vulnerability assessments that have been undertaken in the affected countries of southern Africa. These have been used to identify the most vulnerable groups and communities in Zimbabwe. Three assessments were undertaken between June 2002 and May 2003. In addition, we are supporting, together with the EU, the first urban vulnerability assessment in Zimbabwe. This should be completed by the end of November 2003.

John Snow International-UK (JSI-UK), with DFID funding, have undertaken a survey of households affected by HIV/AIDS in Harare, which included measures of household food security and the nutritional status of children.