Food shortage in Zimbabwe requires immediate humanitarian assistance

While they may not grab headlines like disasters, food shortages require humanitarian intervention. In fact, 9 out of every 10 disasters that the Red Cross responds to are events that may have a major impact on areas of the world, yet do not get the media attention disasters do. 

One example of this is the food crisis in Zimbabwe. This African nation recently saw a 32 per cent increase in the number of individuals who do not have enough to eat, and 2.2 million Zimbabweans - which represents 25 per cent of the rural population - are predicted to need help between January and March 2014 to avoid hunger. This problem is a result of drought, which has led to a poor harvest and high food prices. 

HIV complicates the issue
It's not just about food, it's also about disease. Gwanda, a district in southern Zimbabwe, has the most HIV cases in the country and is also in need of food assistance. There are concerns that if the region does not get the help it needs, the HIV problem will worsen. 

"People living with HIV/AIDS become particularly vulnerable in times of food insecurity as treatment needs to be taken in conjunction with a good diet," said Erin Law, International Federation of  Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies community health officer. "Taking the medication on an empty stomach results in nausea, so people often stop taking it because it makes them feel so sick."

Currently, there are no other non-profit organizations are responding to food insecurity in the area. 

To alleviate some of this serious problem, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is asking for 815,610 Swiss francs to assist more than 10,000 Zimbabweans - particularly those living in Gwanda. These funds will be used to immediately tend to people in the country who need food assistance, with a particular focus on improving maternal and child health and helping those with HIV. More funds will be needed to develop a long-term plan to help communities in the country survive poor crop seasons. 

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