News / National
Chinese food aid allegedly politicised amid Zimbabwe's hunger crisis
3 hrs ago | Views
A recent donation of four metric tonnes of rice by China to feed hungry Zimbabweans has been criticized for allegedly being politicised, exacerbating the desperate hunger situation faced by villagers.
According to the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), several cases have been documented where deserving beneficiaries were denied food aid on political grounds. Zimbabwe is currently grappling with its worst drought in years, leaving over five million citizens in urgent need of food assistance.
In April last year, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the El Niño-induced drought a national disaster and appealed for US$3 billion from well-wishers to combat potential starvation. In response, China donated four metric tonnes of rice in December, aimed at being distributed among 360 members of the National Assembly and Senate for onward distribution to those in need.
However, concerns have arisen regarding the politicisation of food aid. The ZPP highlighted that distributing aid through political channels rather than through the social welfare system risks creating dependency on political patronage, rather than addressing the root causes of poverty.
"The approach, where this food aid is being distributed to citizens by MPs and Senators, raises concerns about the politicisation of food aid and its potential to cripple beneficiaries," the ZPP stated in its report.
ZPP also raised concerns about theft and corrupt practices in handling the aid, which deprives many households of their right to food. This issue further deepens the impact of the El Niño-induced drought on vulnerable communities.
In December, Zanu-PF Uzumba MP Wiriranai Muchemwa and Ward 15 councillor Knowledge Chipundu were arrested for allegedly stealing 40 tonnes of food aid worth US$12,000.
In September, the World Food Programme (WFP) successfully assisted 269,514 people out of a total of 272,787 in Buhera, Mwenezi, and Mangwe, supported by funding from its Africa Risk Capacity Replica Policy payout.
Despite government's food distribution efforts, allegations of politicisation persist, with Zanu-PF activists being identified as the chief culprits. Additionally, the ZPP documented 95 human rights violations, including threats of violence, assaults, and restricted freedoms of assembly and association.
According to the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), several cases have been documented where deserving beneficiaries were denied food aid on political grounds. Zimbabwe is currently grappling with its worst drought in years, leaving over five million citizens in urgent need of food assistance.
In April last year, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the El Niño-induced drought a national disaster and appealed for US$3 billion from well-wishers to combat potential starvation. In response, China donated four metric tonnes of rice in December, aimed at being distributed among 360 members of the National Assembly and Senate for onward distribution to those in need.
However, concerns have arisen regarding the politicisation of food aid. The ZPP highlighted that distributing aid through political channels rather than through the social welfare system risks creating dependency on political patronage, rather than addressing the root causes of poverty.
"The approach, where this food aid is being distributed to citizens by MPs and Senators, raises concerns about the politicisation of food aid and its potential to cripple beneficiaries," the ZPP stated in its report.
ZPP also raised concerns about theft and corrupt practices in handling the aid, which deprives many households of their right to food. This issue further deepens the impact of the El Niño-induced drought on vulnerable communities.
In December, Zanu-PF Uzumba MP Wiriranai Muchemwa and Ward 15 councillor Knowledge Chipundu were arrested for allegedly stealing 40 tonnes of food aid worth US$12,000.
In September, the World Food Programme (WFP) successfully assisted 269,514 people out of a total of 272,787 in Buhera, Mwenezi, and Mangwe, supported by funding from its Africa Risk Capacity Replica Policy payout.
Despite government's food distribution efforts, allegations of politicisation persist, with Zanu-PF activists being identified as the chief culprits. Additionally, the ZPP documented 95 human rights violations, including threats of violence, assaults, and restricted freedoms of assembly and association.
Source - newsday
