IN a move which exposes the failure of Zimbabwe's policies, government has launched a massive US$230 million humanitarian appeal for food.

The 2007 consolidated appeal for Zimbabwe focuses on both emergency relief and transitional support to address the causes of vulnerability of some sections of the population.

The appeal shows that government policies have compounded the humanitarian situation resulting in the nation seeking assistance in virtually all sectors. Food, agriculture and health account for more than 65% of the needs in the appeal.

It comes as the provincial leadership in the two Matabeleland provinces have asked the government to declare a state of disaster.

The two provinces, together with Midlands province, have received erratic rainfall since the planting season began late last year.

A senior official in the Ministry of Agriculture told the Zimbabwe Independent this week that the leadership in the two provinces had written to government requesting that they be declared disaster areas.

Matabeleland South governor, Angeline Masuku, confirmed that her province was in a precarious position in terms of food security but could not be drawn into revealing whether they had made a representation to government.

"The issue is still under deliberation," she said. "The provincial drought relief committee is meeting this week and they will come up with resolutions. The situation is not promising but you will get more information on the situation from my office later."

The Swedish aid agency Sida this week handed over US$6,7 million to the Zimbabwe consolidated appeal process.

Speaking at the event, UN resident representative in Zimbabwe Agostinho Zacharias said the humanitarian crisis in the country was serious and worrisome.

Sweden becomes the first country to respond to the Zimbabwe 2007 appeal.

"The humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe is very serious," said Zacharias. "And it is worrisome. Humanitarian assistance is meant to be temporary but here it has gone on for too long. Your government cannot go it alone; they require international assistance so as to address the humanitarian situation here."

Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Sten Rylander, who officially handed over Sida's contribution, said Mugabe and his officials appeared not to appreciate the humanitarian crisis in the country. He said they were directing their energies towards economic turnaround when the real issue was political.

The appeal was drafted by government in conjunction with the United Nations and its implementing partners. The most acute humanitarian needs include those of populations affected by food insecurity and cholera outbreaks, as well as mobile and vulnerable people affected by the fast-track land reform programme, Operation Murambatsvina, and more recent re-evictions, the appeal docoument says.

"The more chronic issues affecting vulnerable populations include inadequate access to basic social services, insufficient agricultural inputs and disrupted livelihoods.

"Further impacting the overall situation in the country is the continuing economic decline and the large number of migrants. The HIV/Aids pandemic directly affects 18% to 20% of the population, with an average of 3 000 deaths per week," the appeal says.

Zimbabwe's population of 11,8 million people includes a number of vulnerable groups: people living with HIV/Aids; children who have lost one or both parents; people with severe disabilities; the chronically ill and food-insecure communities.

Further included in this grouping are stateless individuals born in Zimbabwe with disputed citizenship; refugees; ex-farm workers and those directly affected by Operation Murambatsvina.

Inter-agency standing committee members participating in the Consolidated Appeals Process expect that the situation in Zimbabwe will require substantial humanitarian responses in 2007. The responses would mitigate the effects of the declining economy and, particularly, its impact on the access and quality of basic services for already vulnerable populations.

Among the expected trends in 2007 are: a steady decline in the availability of basic agricultural inputs; a significant food gap; a continued need for assistance and protection of mobile and vulnerable populations; continued impact of contentious human rights and governance issues; and reduced resources for humanitarian programming.

This is coupled with continued economic decline resulting in a reduction in household purchasing power, decreased access to basic social services for vulnerable populations and the severe impact of HIV/Aids. In this scenario, the humanitarian community will endeavour to put mechanisms in place that will provide transitional support actions at the household and community levels.

If fully funded, the projects in this appeal would serve to provide food assistance to an estimated 1,9 millionpeople; provide agricultural and livelihoods support to approximately 300 000 households; improve access and quality of education services for 150 000 children. It is expected to provide transitional shelter to approximately 4 200 mobile and vulnerable populations and homeless households.

The resources will also be used to immunise 5,2 million people through the expanded programme of immunisation; provide home-based care for over 120 000 people living or affected by HIV/Aids; assist 2,8 million in mother and child healthcare programmes.

The appeal plans to reach three million people with messages to promote behavioural change and prevent HIV/Aids; sensitise an estimated 1 million people on the prevention and management of sexual and gender-based violence.

It will also provide multi-sectoral assistance to nearly 250 000 mobile and vulnerable populations; provide assistance to 100 000 returned migrants; ensure assistance and psychosocial support to over 30 000 orphans and vulnerable children; deliver improved sanitation services to 2,5 million; and improve access to potable water for an estimated 500 000 beneficiaries. -- Staff Writers.