afrol News, 10 February - The United Nations agency has announced an award of US$ 11 million in humanitarian aid to the impoverished Zimbabwe to tackle the multiple humanitarian crisis.

United Nations Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, John Holmes, said the money would be drawn from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), and channelled through a number of UN agencies operating in Zimbabwe.

According to Mr Holmes, Zimbabwe's fund is part of a US$75 million humanitarian aid package allocated to fight food shortages, disease and conflict for 14 countries in Africa and Asia.

Mr Holmes said that the new UN aid would cover food, health and other areas, where Zimbabwe is facing a humanitarian crisis.

The country faces a cholera crisis which has claimed 3,500 lives and affected 70,000 others, as well as severe food shortages. The UN also estimates that at least 6.9 million people, more than half the population, need emergency food aid.

If Zimbabwe is to form the new government by 13 February as an order from Southern African Development Community, the country has a chance to recover, though economic experts claim the progress will be slow.

The country has a record inflation of 231 million percent, though other economists argue it is way beyond what the government claims it to be.

The Central Emergency Response Fund is bankrolled by voluntary contributions from member states, non-governmental organisations, local governments, the private sector and individual donors.

The fund was established in 2006 to help agencies respond rapidly to new or deteriorating humanitarian situations. It is administered by the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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