In areas where firewood has dried out, or where the Environmental Management Agency
(EMA) is most active, villagers have to raise an average of US$25 to buy firewood.
Relatively fewer reports indicated use of paraffin, with many saying that was actually a
luxury which most could not afford.
Reports indicate that in some areas, some shop-owners have in the past few months
increased prices of their foodstuffs to take advantage of the scarcity and hunger.
ZPP was also able to establish with some degree of certainty that quite a number of
donors and UN agencies through their implementing agencies are in all earnest assisting
vulnerable families needing immediate food aid.
Examples of food packages as found out by ZPP in the informal surveys consist of 50 kg
maize; three litres cooking oil, three kg peas, from some donors. While others give
packages of 30 kg mealie-meal, 5kg beans and 5 litres cooking oil. Both these are
monthly packages. Some NGOs targeting children give out packages consisting of 10 kg
sorghum; 6 kg porridge mix and 2kg peas and these packs are given at two months
intervals.
However, needless to point out more needs to be done for families facing starvation.
The following is recommended:
The modalities of food assistance must respect the fundamental humanitarian principles
of Humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. Decisions on the allocation of
humanitarian food assistance should be strictly needs based. Funding should be allocated
in an objective manner, according to these principles, to improve the food consumption of
those in greatest need, without bias or prejudice.
Basic principles
ZPP and its cooperating partners subscribe food distribution in Zimbabwe must be based
on a platform of ethical principles that derive from international humanitarian law:
The right to life with dignity and the duty not to withhold or frustrate the provision of
life saving assistance;
The obligation of states and other parties to agree to the provision of humanitarian
and impartial assistance when the civilian population lacks essential supplies;
Relief not to bring unintended advantage to one or more parties nor to further any
partisan position;
The management and distribution of food and other relief to be based purely on
criteria of need and not on partisan grounds, and without adverse distinction of any
kind;
Respect for community values of solidarity, dignity and peace and of community
culture.
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