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Zimbabwe Kicks Out WFP

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The 512 Collective, unless otherwise stated.

Zimbabwe Kicks Out WFP

05.12.04 (7:23 pm) [edit]

Yesterday the government of Zimbabwe told the World Food Programme that they no longer require emergency food aid, despite the fact that WFP is currently feeding over 5 million people in the country. This happens to be good for my documentary, as the footage I shot in the country a few weeks ago is now the last documentation of any food distributions within Zimbabwe, but it's very bad news for the countless people that are likely starve as a result.

The government's move is obviously an election ploy, hoping to maintain their place in the coming parliamentary elections by proving that President Mugabe's controversial land distribution program was successful. There are reports that neighboring countries will secretly donate food to prevent widespread starvation, but Mugabe has always used food as a weapon against the ethnic areas that do not support them. It was only the WFP's work that was keeping many of those people alive, and it is very unlikely that they will receive anything near a sufficient quantity of food through the government's program.

I spoke about the possibility of this happening a few months ago with one of the WFP officials here in Jo'burg. He told me that if requested to do so, the WFP would have no choice other than to pull out of Zimbabwe - and that thousands of people would undoubtedly die as a result. Despite the added significance that this lends to my documentary, it is certainly a very bad development.

Any mention of it in American news outlets, by the way?

posted by: dlfitch (reply)
post date: 05.12.04 (7:28 pm)

More info: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3704211.stm

posted by: zerzillia (reply)
post date: 05.14.04 (12:58 am)

i've just comed across this blog today. it's great! really educating me (i'm a naive girl with no political sense....)
good luck on your documentaries!

posted by: dlfitch (reply)
post date: 05.14.04 (7:33 am)

Reply to: zerzillia

that's good to hear. thanks a lot.

posted by: DRAMA (reply)
post date: 05.14.04 (9:38 pm)

Interesting blog!
Keep up the good work.

posted by: babe4Jesus55 (reply)
post date: 05.14.04 (10:44 pm)

i hadn't heard of this crisis...will pray situation turns out well. be safe!