WASHINGTON —
The United Nations World Food Programme needs nearly $25 million to ensure it meets food aid requirements in Zimbabwe over the next six months.
In its monthly report, the United Nations Office of Humanitarian Affairs said the shortafall would make it difficult for the agency to assist the needy in the country from May to October.
Its food agency, WFP, needs $24.5 million for the coming months. The humanitarian organizarion says the money needed is for food purchases, cash and voucher programmes and outstanding advance finances.
An estimated 180,000 people will be affected due to the shortage of funds.
Reverend Stanslus Chatikobo, director of Christian Care Zimbabwe, told VOA Studio 7 the food situation on the ground is dire.
"The situtation is not promising. The harvest has been bad and we need to make sure that there is extra food in the country," said Chatikobo
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Interview With Stanlus Chatikobo
Officials say food insecurity this year has been worse than the past three years as targetted food assistance began eariler than expected and will carry on further into the season.
According to Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee, 1.6 million Zimbabweans were expected to be in need of food assistance up until the end of April, and many will need assistance into the next season.
