'Zimbabwe is the most malnourished country in the world'

Ashley D. Mwanza

Zimbabwe is the most food aid dependent country in the world, aid agencies said today (26 may 2009). Also, nearly 55% of children who died of cholera in Zimbabwe were malnourished. This is according to a report released by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, quoting numbers from the World Food Programme.

"Per capita, Zimbabwe is now the most food aid dependent country in the world. The World Food Programme believes that seven million people are in need of food assistance - somewhere between 65% and 80% of the population," the report states.

The food crisis was caused by several factors including hyperinflation which disenfranchised many agriculture farmers, the report states. Without the much needed aid to augment the failed government institutions and or parastatals this could escalate.