VOANews.com

 

Today from VOA:

News in 45 Languages
Local Officials Hindering Delivery Of Zimbabwe Food Assistance


17 November 2008

Though Zimbabwe's food crisis is deepening daily, non-governmental organizations involved in the distribution of assistance continue to face obstruction by local authorities from whom they must obtain letters of clearance to hand out food aid, say sources informed on conditions.

Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition Advocacy Officer Gladys Hlatshwayo said NGOs are at times refused such letters, complicating efforts to provide aid to the hungry. She said contacts with villagers indicate that such problems are widespread and worsening the crisis.

Hlatshwayo said this had been a particular problem with ZANU-PF members of parliament and district council members in the Makoni district of Manikaland province.

The government banned most distribution of food and other humanitarian aid by NGOs between June and August of this year, accusing such groups of promoting the opposition Movement for Democratic Change in the June presidential run-off election.

Elsewhere, Zimbabweans being expelled from Botswana through Plumtree border post are being provided with food aid to help them resettle in Zimbabwe, as Martin Ngwenya reports.

More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...

Listen to This Report Interview With Gladys Hlatshwayo
Download  (MP3)
Listen to This Report Interview With Gladys Hlatshwayo
Listen (MP3)
Listen to This Report Report By Martin Ngwenya
Download  (MP3)
Listen to This Report Report By Martin Ngwenya
Listen (MP3)
E-mail This Article E-mail This Article
Print This Article Print Version
  Top Story
Olmert: Israel to Continue Gaza Offensive

  More Stories
UN Security Council Adopts Gaza Cease-fire Resolution
2 Top Al-Qaida Terrorists Killed in Pakistan
Suicide Car Bomber Kills 10 in Afghanistan
US Studies Withdrawing More Troops from Iraq  Audio Clip Available
Petraeus Cites US-Iran 'Common Interests' on Afghanistan, Iraq  Audio Clip Available
Sri Lanka Says Troops are Gaining in Elephant Pass
Obama Warns of Severe Consequences Without Stimulus Package  Audio Clip Available
Russia Agrees to Gas Pipeline Monitors
Diplomatic Activity Builds to Halt Eastern Congo Clashes  Audio Clip Available
Lawyers Want Charges Dropped Against Zimbabwe Activists  Audio Clip Available
Africans Await Obama Inauguration with Mixed Expectations  Audio Clip Available
Immigrant Filmmaker Travels Rocky Road in Hollywood  Audio Clip Available
Florida Wins College Football's National Championship Game