news & events
Zimbabwe aid ban lifted
 Victims of Zimbabwe's post-election violence camp outside the US embassy in Harare Photo: REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo (ZIMBABWE) |
A ban barring aid agencies from operating in Zimbabwe has now been lifted. MRDF is supporting a new appeal that will deliver food and agricultural assistance to some of the country's most vulnerable people.
Over 2 million people were in need of urgent food supplies when the Zimbabwean government ordered all aid agencies to suspend their humanitarian and development work on June 4. Plans to deliver seeds and livestock for the next agricultural season were put on hold and many aid workers were restricted to doing office work. |
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It is estimated that nearly 4 million people could go hungry in October, with this number peaking at 5 million between January and March 2009. Now that the ban has been lifted, many will now be able to access much-needed food supplies.
MRDF is supporting an appeal through ACT International (Action by Churches Together) that will distribute monthly food rations of maize, cooking oil and beans to over 26,000 people in some of the most vulnerable communities. It will also help farmers rebuild their livelihoods by providing seeds, fertilisers and training in conservation farming that will help them mitigate the impact of drought on their crops.
Amanda Norman, MRDF Supporter Relations Director, said: ‘We might think that the financial situation in Britain is grim, but the economic disaster faced by people in Zimbabwe puts things well and truly into perspective. Millions of Zimbabweans have been caught up in this complex humanitarian crisis and it is hard to know how to even begin to make a difference. This appeal enables us to alleviate some of the suffering in the short term, and empower people to begin rebuilding their lives.'
Donations to MRDF's appeal for Zimbabwe can be made by debit or credit card on 020 7224 4814, or by cheque, payable to “MRDF (Zimbabwe emergency)”, posted to MRDF, Methodist Church House, Taxpayers are encouraged to gift aid their donations where possible, adding a value of 28p to every pound they give, at no extra personal cost.
Thank you. |
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