United Nations Radio

Humanitarian agencies are seeking $378 million for Zimbabwe.

Food distribution in Zimbabwe

The money will help millions of people, including those affected by the deterioration in basic services and livelihoods brought on by the ongoing economic crisis, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

OCHA notes Zimbabwe also faces a substantial cereal deficit in 2010, despite improvements in food security. It estimates that nearly two million people will require food assistance during the hunger season, from January to March. More than one-third of children under five in the country are chronically malnourished.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is also facing a cholera outbreak that has spread to half of its 10 provinces.

Catherine Bragg, UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator is visiting Zimbabwe at what she calls "a critical moment for the UN and partners to support both humanitarian and recovery activities" in the country. She was speaking in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, on Monday.

Ms. Bragg expressed hope that donors "will continue to generously support saving lives and livelihoods of the people of Zimbabwe."

Dianne Penn, UN Radio.

(duration: 1'16")