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Press Release
3 October 2005
Zambia food shortages: UK provides extra £1 million support
Up to 86,000 Zambians facing food shortages are set to benefit from an additional £1 million of support announced today by UK International Development Minister, Gareth Thomas, during a visit to the country.
The money will be used to support Oxfam in ensuring that the worst-affected people in Zambia will receive a combination of cash-grants and vouchers, which they can exchange at local markets to buy food and essentials such as water, blankets and fuel, without the need to sell vital assets.
Oxfam believe that this kind of cash and voucher support will help households meet 70% of their food needs over a 5-month period. Giving cash and vouchers rather than food aid also helps local producers and cuts transport costs.
Today's announcement brings the UK's total support to Zambia for its food shortages to £1.5 million; and response to the food shortages facing southern Africa to over £57 million.
Gareth Thomas said:
"In situations like this we must ensure that humanitarian aid quickly reaches those in need is critical to save lives and reduce suffering. By working together with Oxfam to provide cash and vouchers to those who have been worst affected by the food shortages, we are helping Zambians to take an active role in combating their own food needs".
Notes to Editors
- Mr Gareth Thomas, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary Of State For International Development, and Ms Rosie Winterton, MP, Minister Of State For Health Services are visiting Zambia 3-4 October 2005. They are holding discussions with the Government of the Republic of Zambia on the state of Zambia's health services and strategies to strengthen these services. They will also be learning from the Zambian response to HIV and AIDS and considering how the human resource crisis could be better addressed.
- Zambia's Vulnerability Assessment Committee (VAC) identified that up to 1.23 million people would need relief prior to the next harvest in February-March 2006. Ongoing food aid programmes currently feed approximately 500,000 people
- Crop failure of between 40% and 90% has been identified in 27 affected districts, mainly in Eastern, Southern and Western Provinces.
- On 22 September the Secretary of State for International Development, Hilary Benn announced an additional £11.5 million to combat food shortages in southern Africa.
Total UK commitments for southern Africa food shortages to date:
- Lesotho - £350,000
- Malawi - £15.2 million
- Mozambique - £255,000
- Swaziland - £300,000
- Zambia - £1.5 million
- Zimbabwe - £40 million
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