Zimbabwe rejects food aid

Zimbabwe rejects food aid

A Zimbabawean family shares donated bread. The government now says it has enough food stocks

• UN aid agencies pull out

• Bread prices up 50 percent

• Fears Mugabe may use food for campaign

• Zimbabwe turns back food aid

• Nyambuya's workers desert farm

By Agencies

ZIMBABWE'S Marxist government, facing an election next year, has told international donors that their food is not needed, the BBC reported Tuesday.

Labor Minister Paul Mangwana said the country was expecting a bumper crop, but he also admitted that some areas in the country would have food deficits, but those "would be covered through internal food distribution."

Aid agencies estimate that 5.5 million Zimbabweans -- almost half in urban areas -- will require emergency food aid this year. A recent German survey found a shortfall of around 900,000 tons of maize this year.

Opposition leaders, who confirmed a severe food shortage, said the ruling Marxist Zanu-PF regime plans to give food aid only to its supporters in the run-up to national elections to mute public opposition to its candidates and policies.

A former food exporter, Zimbabwe has relied on international food aid since 2000 when it began seizing white-owned farms.
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