Harare — THE British government, through its aid arm the Department for International Development, yesterday unveiled a £3 million ($1,4 billion) food aid package for Zimbabwe to be managed by the World Food Programme.

One million people are expected to benefit from the 50 000 tonnes to be distributed countrywide.

A statement from the WFP offices in Harare said the Government had accepted the NGO's proposal to distribute the food to the most poor and vulnerable people until the next harvest.

"The food will be distributed by NGOs under arrangements similar to previous operations designed to ensure that the food aid reaches the intended beneficiaries without political interference," the statement said.

A Government spokesman yesterday, while welcoming the food aid, said that the real bumper donation from the British would be to remove the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.

"We do not need donations in pounds, but what we would rather want to do is deal and interact with other nations without undue influence from the British.

"What they have done is palliative," said the Government spokesman.

During a visit to Zimbabwe last year, WFP executive director Mr James Morris met President Mugabe and was told that the country welcomed assistance from donors, including NGOs, as long as they did not meddle in the country's internal affairs.