Zimbabwe "on the edge of a precipice"

The Archbishop of Harare has issued an urgent appeal for help as Zimbabwe faces a spiralling food crisis - one in three people will need food aid following a disastrous harvest

CAFOD is launching a £4million appeal for Zimbabwe to run an emergency response programme providing more than 120,000 people in some of the worst affected areas with food supplies and seeds and tools.

In his appeal, the Archbishop of Harare, Robert Ndlovu, says: "The people of Zimbabwe are suffering. Our once bountiful nation is unable to feed its people and the coming months will bring yet deeper hunger and desperation for many.

Hunger and disease

"We have already lost too many of our children, friends, brothers and sisters to hunger and disease. Many more have fled the country, fleeing from lives that have become unbearable through poverty and hunger.

"Now the Zimbabwean people stand at the edge of a precipice. Our country is in deep crisis. Our harvest has failed, through a combination of severe drought, HIV and AIDS and the consequences of economic decline.

"By March one in three people in Zimbabwe will have no food. Many will run out very soon. Our brothers and sisters face a struggle for survival at a time when many have nothing left, their possessions sold and their health gone.

"On behalf of my Zimbabwean brothers and sisters living in hunger, I appeal to their fellow Christian brothers and sisters to walk alongside them during this difficult time in faith and Christian charity.

"Our message of hope remains: 'God is always on the side of the Oppressed.'"

CAFOD will run a joint emergency response with its Zimbabwean Church partner CADEC. For the first time ever, the annual Harvest Fast Day appeal will go to the emergency fund.

CAFOD director Chris Bain said: "CAFOD is one of the few aid agencies that is still able to reach people directly in Zimbabwe. The country is facing an immense crisis but unless we act quickly, the situation will spiral downwards and we will start to see loss of life on a large scale.

"CAFOD is asking its supporters to respond generously to the Archbishop’s appeal."

Donate now to CAFOD's Zimbabwe Appeal >>

For further information please contact Nana Anto-Awuakye on: 020 7095 5560 or 07799 477 541 or email nanto-awuakye@cafod.org.uk or nantawuakye@yahoo.com

take action

Give to the Zimbabwe Appeal

Make a donation to help the poorest people of Zimbabwe - please support our charity work there. A gift from you really will make a difference to thousands of people