Background Briefing

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II. RECOMMENDATIONS

To the Government of Zimbabwe:

  • Publish all figures on maize imported into Zimbabwe and traded internally by the GMB as well as figures on the size of the government’s strategic maize reserve.

  • Develop and publish a 2004-5 policy and plan of action for the GMB to distribute and sell food to all persons in need irrespective of their race, religion, ethnicity, regional origin or residence, sex, or political affiliation. The policy and plan should be widely disseminated throughout Zimbabwe.

  • Implement a transparent registration and distribution system that provides for community participation beyond traditional leadership and facilitates GMB maize distributions to all vulnerable persons, irrespective of political affiliation.

  • Instruct politicians and traditional leaders that food is not to be used to influence or reward constituents or voters.

  • Guarantee and facilitate unrestricted access for independent food and vulnerability experts, relief agencies and the U.N. to conduct comprehensive crop and vulnerability assessments and to provide humanitarian assistance to all vulnerable persons.

  • Engage in dialogue with the international community to seek durable solutions to problems with access to adequate food in Zimbabwe. Invite the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food to Zimbabwe to report on the food situation and allow him unrestricted access.

    To International Donors, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States:

  • Increase donor support for agricultural inputs to farmers, including resettled farmers, throughout Zimbabwe.

  • Provide food aid strictly on the basis of need throughout Zimbabwe.

  • Engage in dialogue with the Government of Zimbabwe to seek durable solutions to problems with access to adequate food in Zimbabwe.


    <<previous  |  index  |  next>>August 12, 2004