OXFAM country director Machinda Marongwe yesterday urged government to address the issue of hunger in Zimbabwe, which has caused the migration of millions of people to other countries in search of food and employment opportunities.
by VENERANDA LANGA
His statement comes in the wake of remarks by President Robert Mugabe at the United Nations, where he alleged powerful countries like the United Kingdom, United States and their Nato allies were responsible for the suffering in different countries in the world, resulting in disturbances and political refugees.
But, Marongwe reminded Mugabe of Zimbabweans who were currently migrating to other countries due to food shortages and the economic malaise.
“Oxfam commends Mugabe for acknowledging the need for collective responsibility in order to change the narrative on migrants and migration, but to this end, Oxfam brings to the attention of government that following the worst drought in decades, rural communities we work with tell us about family members who have migrated because of issues of the stomach,” Marongwe said in a statement.
“There is no food, and there are no employment opportunities, and this situation will get worse before it gets better; the next harvest will not be ready until March.”
Marongwe said urgent action was needed to meet people’s food needs, to ensure food markets are able to function effectively, and to help people plant successfully in the coming months.
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Southern Africa reportedly has a $2,5 billion funding gap for the food response.
Marongwe said government must continue working with donors to plug the gap, support vulnerable communities and to escape dependency on rain-fed agriculture.
“We urge Zimbabwe, along with other southern African governments, to represent the region strongly at this year’s UN General Assembly by calling for greater and more investment from the global community to support the most vulnerable communities as they adapt to the changing climate, and ensure they are not faced with leaving their homes in future,” he said
