UK Aid has pledged to give Zimbabwe £49 million in an endeavour to avert projected severe starvation. This comes when about 5.5 million Zimbabweans are reported to be on the brink of starvation following an El-Nino and Cyclone Idai induced drought.
Starvation is also expected to worsen due to the economic crisis.
The announcement was made by International Development Secretary, Alok Sharma, following a United Nations appeal. Sharma also urged Zimbabwe to implement the promised reforms. He said:
The Government of Zimbabwe must do more to deliver the promised fundamental political and economic reforms and take responsibility for the humanitarian crisis affecting its people.
The UK stands with the people of Zimbabwe at a time when millions are at risk of starvation and disease. Through trusted partners, we will continue to give families access to food and clean water, and support children to gain a decent education.
The UK government has however made it clear that no money shall be given directly to the Zimbabwean government.
Recently, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the drought a national disaster. He also revealed in July that the country would need to import 800 000 tonnes of maize so as to effectively avert starvation.
The country has since introduced Statutory Instrument 145 of 2019 which aims to discourage exportation of grain from the country and trade of maize by private players.
More: UK Government
Zimbabweans should see beyond the UK’s hypocrisy it caused the country to loose more than 20 billion in the last two decades, after it chose to internationalize its dispute with Zimbabwe, now they offer 43 million pound.