News / National
Hunger stalks poorest provinces in Zimbabwe
30 Aug 2015 at 07:23hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) have revealed that hunger in parts of Zimbabwe is mostly affecting the poor a development which needs the government and non-governmental intervention to save lives.
In a statement posted on August 25 the organisation said in Matabeleland North and South numerous families , the two poorest Zimbabwean provinces, according to researchers, are reportedly facing hunger and water woes said community observers.
The organisation qouted a villager Moses Ncube under Chief Matupula in Matabeleland North as saying, "Most of the villagers in Tsholotsho north now actually go without three meals a day. Children are the most affected like in areas under headman Mcetshwa in Chief Matupula in Matabeleland North.
"In some of the areas like in Hlekisa village, ward 6 under Headman Mahlapa, despite the dryness and water shortages, the village has been without a borehole for three decades on top of the food shortages."
The villagers have to trek to the neighbouring Tshino village in search of the precious liquid.
The provinces are hard hit by perennial droughts due to their location in one of Zimbabwe's harshest climate zones, characterised by acutely low rainfall and desert-matching heat.
"As if the curse of nature is not bad enough, the provinces are the poorest areas, according to recent findings of the Mass Public Opinion Institute (MPOI)'s Afrobarometer researches by income levels and self-perception," said ZimRights.
"Add to this pile of misfortunes, the perceived marginalisation of the region by the central government, which has been frantically fighting devolution of power now captured in the new Constitution adopted in March 2013, both lopsidedly focused and located over 400 miles away in Harare."
The organisation said the revelations come amid reports that government plans to import 700 000 metric tonnes of maize from Zambia and South Africa to offset a perennial, local deficit of the staple grain.
ZimRights National Chairperson, Passmore Nyakureba said: "It is the government's responsibility to ensure that there is ample social support in terms of access to food and water. This is more so in regions that have already difficulties in attaining food security due to natural circumstances such as hostile climatic conditions. We therefore urge government to sustainable address the issue of food security as well as respond to food emergences in the country."
In the poor-twin province of Matabeleland south, on top of the prevailing hunger, the villagers reportedly have to contend with traditional leaders that allegedly demand onerous tributes.
After reportedly donating 42 cattle and 103 goats last year, the villagers are bitter about having to pay more money for a local chief's annual function in May 2016.
"At this terrible time of hunger, villagers are being asked to raise US$ 5 up from US $2 for the traditional show at Avoca under Chief Maduna," said Joyce Dube, a community member.
The money being demanded for the function can buy a bag of mealie-meal for a small family to go for a month.
In a statement posted on August 25 the organisation said in Matabeleland North and South numerous families , the two poorest Zimbabwean provinces, according to researchers, are reportedly facing hunger and water woes said community observers.
The organisation qouted a villager Moses Ncube under Chief Matupula in Matabeleland North as saying, "Most of the villagers in Tsholotsho north now actually go without three meals a day. Children are the most affected like in areas under headman Mcetshwa in Chief Matupula in Matabeleland North.
"In some of the areas like in Hlekisa village, ward 6 under Headman Mahlapa, despite the dryness and water shortages, the village has been without a borehole for three decades on top of the food shortages."
The villagers have to trek to the neighbouring Tshino village in search of the precious liquid.
The provinces are hard hit by perennial droughts due to their location in one of Zimbabwe's harshest climate zones, characterised by acutely low rainfall and desert-matching heat.
"As if the curse of nature is not bad enough, the provinces are the poorest areas, according to recent findings of the Mass Public Opinion Institute (MPOI)'s Afrobarometer researches by income levels and self-perception," said ZimRights.
"Add to this pile of misfortunes, the perceived marginalisation of the region by the central government, which has been frantically fighting devolution of power now captured in the new Constitution adopted in March 2013, both lopsidedly focused and located over 400 miles away in Harare."
The organisation said the revelations come amid reports that government plans to import 700 000 metric tonnes of maize from Zambia and South Africa to offset a perennial, local deficit of the staple grain.
ZimRights National Chairperson, Passmore Nyakureba said: "It is the government's responsibility to ensure that there is ample social support in terms of access to food and water. This is more so in regions that have already difficulties in attaining food security due to natural circumstances such as hostile climatic conditions. We therefore urge government to sustainable address the issue of food security as well as respond to food emergences in the country."
In the poor-twin province of Matabeleland south, on top of the prevailing hunger, the villagers reportedly have to contend with traditional leaders that allegedly demand onerous tributes.
After reportedly donating 42 cattle and 103 goats last year, the villagers are bitter about having to pay more money for a local chief's annual function in May 2016.
"At this terrible time of hunger, villagers are being asked to raise US$ 5 up from US $2 for the traditional show at Avoca under Chief Maduna," said Joyce Dube, a community member.
The money being demanded for the function can buy a bag of mealie-meal for a small family to go for a month.
Source - Byo24News
