MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
McMullan
Australia will provide an additional $2 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) for food aid to meet an urgent and growing need for humanitarian assistance in Zimbabwe.
The WFP is currently feeding about 2.7 million Zimbabweans, targeting the neediest such as children and those affected by HIV.
This further contribution underlines Australia's determination to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Zimbabwe.
Australia's latest assistance is in addition to our contribution of $3.5 million to the WFP in August last year for use in Zimbabwe. It also adds to $3.75 million in support for international humanitarian relief efforts in Zimbabwe in 2006-07, much of which was for food aid which Australia provided for the Zimbabwean people.
Zimbabwe continues to experience erratic weather patterns, as well as the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Crop production has fallen. The country is experiencing ongoing economic problems, and hyper-inflation is causing food prices to rise beyond the reach of many people. A growing number of households are vulnerable to hunger.
The WFP has a strong track record of delivering humanitarian aid effectively in difficult environments. Australia has a close working relationship with WFP, particularly in the Asia Pacific region and in Africa.
Media Contact: Sabina Curatolo (Mr McMullan's Office) 0400 318 205
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590