Operation 'Clean-up' could tighten food shortages

Aid agencies in Zimbabwe were gearing up on Tuesday to assist the thousands of people leaving the capital as a result of the government's crackdown on illegal dwellings and street vendors. Although it is still not clear just how many families have sought shelter in rural areas, an estimated 17,000 people have been arrested since the police blitz that initially started as an attempt to rid Harare of illegal foreign currency dealers and informal traders. Since last week the campaign has moved into working-class areas in urban centres, where illegal dwellings were demolished, reportedly leaving thousands without shelter. "We are closely monitoring the situation and are preparing to intervene - right now, we are receiving reports form our provincial office, which will give us a clearer idea of the needs," Zimbabwe Red Cross Society country director, Emma Kundishora, told IRIN. World Vision regional spokesman Robert Michel said the aid group was "on standby". "We have two warehouses in Bulawayo [in the south of the country] with a few metric tonnes of maize and cooking oil. We are preparing to assist those who need it, but we expect that we are going to need a lot more, should we be required to step in," he said. Michel warned that any further internal displacement was likely to exacerbate the impact of current food shortages. As many as 4.5 million Zimbabweans out of a population of 11.6 million have been estimated as needing food aid this year. "In the rural areas there are already food concerns; with the additional families now fleeing there, aid agencies are going to have their work cut out for them," Michel added. The 'clean-up' campaign, which authorities say is aimed at curbing rising crime and urban decay, has been roundly condemned by rights activists and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.