WFP to scale up operations as food need rises

With food needs expected to increase sharply over the next seven months in Zimbabwe, the World Food Programme (WFP) is to scale up its operations, the UN news service reported on Friday. "Last month, the WFP food aid programme reached rural populations in 31 districts - some 1.1 million beneficiaries - up from 22 districts in the post-harvest season in May. Assistance is expected to increase to cover 36 districts this month," the UN said. It is estimated that over five million people across Zimbabwe will require food aid this year. The acute food shortages have been attributed to ongoing drought conditions and the impact of the land reform programme on agricultural production. The UN also highlighted ongoing health concerns, noting the outbreak of a number of epidemics in the past 12 months. "It is apparent from such outbreaks that there is an urgent need to strengthen the extended programme of immunisation, through provision of adequate transport, fuel and vaccines to conduct mop-up vaccination campaigns," the UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. NGOs had secured funds to provide for some 590,000 vulnerable households. This assistance will include maize, small grains, and bean seeds.