Save the Children is optimistic that the recent developments in Zimbabwe will improve the lives of the 6.8 million children living in the country.
Friday 12 September 2008
The announcement of a power-sharing deal between Zanu PF and the Movement for Democratic Change has been received cautiously by aid agencies working in the country. Agencies are now waiting to hear details of the deal and how different key ministries, including health and education, will be managed.
Country Director Rachel Pounds said: “It’s very difficult to say what this means for the future of Zimbabwe’s children. What we are really hoping is that whatever happens will lead to a better outcome for children. We are optimistic that the new deal will make our working conditions easier, allowing us to reach children in rural areas who desperately need our assistance. We need to get food to children who are increasingly suffering from malnutrition and we need to get children back in to school and get them decent healthcare. We’re hoping this new agreement will bring real change.”
There is an urgent need for food aid in some parts of Zimbabwe. According to the UN, up to 5.1 million people will be in need of food aid by the end of the year. There are concerns that there will not be enough food aid to reach all of those who need it. In the districts in which Save the Children works, we have been told that there has been an increase in the number of malnourished children being admitted to hospitals. Many families are down to just one meal a day and are eating food gathered from the wild just to survive. More funding needs to go towards rebuilding Zimbabwe's agriculture to provide food for the long-term.
If successful, the new power-sharing deal could encourage donors to give more to Zimbabwe.
Ms Pounds continued: “There will be a period of waiting and seeing, but there is a clear and urgent need for more international funding for education and health, especially maternal and child health. Large numbers of children have dropped out of school either to work for food or look for food. They can’t afford school fees and the health system has collapsed. The best outcome from this power-sharing deal would be if conditions improve for children.”
Read more about Save the Children's work in Zimbabwe.