A UNICEF nutrition survey in May 2002, which assessed the rates of malnutrition amongst children countrywide in the age range of 6-59 months, has confirmed an eight-fold increase in malnutrition in a two-year period.
Sir, - In response to Richard Greene's letter ( August 9th), his simple overview of the complex situation in Zimbabwe does not truly outline the events there. I have just returned from a five-day fact-finding mission to Zimbabwe and clearly the Government's resettlement policy has resulted in thousands of people becoming homeless and added to a complex list of factors which are now at play in the country.
However, by far the main factors in the unfolding humanitarian situation are the food shortages caused by a two-year drought (which are affecting five other countries in the region), the huge incidence of HIV/AIDS which affects between 25-33 per cent of the entire population, and a declining economy, which has meant the virtual collapse of the Zimbabwean dollar, and the inability of people to buy even the most basic foodstuffs.
The effects of cyclone Eline in 1999-2000, which caused major damage to the infrastructure in the poorest parts of Zimbabwe, only adds to the many factors at play in the country.
The interplay of all of the above is resulting in a lethal cocktail for the people of Zimbabwe and, in particular, for the children of the country.
The food crisis is affecting 40 out of the 58 districts nationally, particularly affecting the South. Added to this, the HIV/AIDS crisis is being fuelled by an increase of at-risk behaviour as more people engage in prostitution for money to buy food for their families. And there are currently 600,000 children in so called "child-headed households", who have been orphaned by AIDS, growing up alone, with no support other than that provided by their beleaguered communities.
International concerns about the Government's agrarian reform policies as well as concerns that access to food will be used as a political weapon against opposition supporters to the Government, has meant that the international donor community has been slow to respond to Zimbabwe.
UNICEF is concentrating on providing therapeutic feeding for school-going children at schools. This meal of UNIMIX - a porridge like substance - is the sole food that most children receive each day. But lack of food supplies as a result of lack of financial support means that we are only able to provide 350 out of 4,000 primary schools country-wide.
Whilst I understand the reservations there may be about the political situation in Zimbabwe, it is too simplistic to use this as a rationale to refuse assistance in the face of impending famine. While certainly the political situation has exacerbated the crisis, crops have failed and the new harvest will not be ready until April of next year.
The people of Zimbabwe deserve more and better from the international community. We need to reach 66 per cent of the population who are currently facing starvation - we are currently only reaching 15 per cent. - Yours, etc.,
MAURA QUINN,
Executive Director,
UNICEF Ireland,
Dublin 1.