Zimbabwe: food crisis looming

(Vatican Radio) The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) is warning of a hunger crisis in Zimbabwe. According to the UN food relief agency, irregular rains, poor agricultural practices and ongoing economic challenges have pushed Zimbabwe into an increasingly critical food security situation. The WFP says the past several weeks have provided signs of growing distress across the African country with high food prices, empty silos and granaries, and a reduced cereal harvest, aggravating the country's food security outlook. In a news release issued this week on its Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment, the WFP said, “Late and erratic rains, poor agricultural practices, constrained access to inputs, and a reduction in planted area have all contributed to reducing the national cereal harvest by 33 per cent this year.” The news release further noted that a lack of diversified livelihoods and the rising cost of living are also contributing to the impending crisis of income and food insecurity. Listen to Vatican Radio's interview with WFP regional spokesman for southern Africa, David Orr: