“George” sold his house and lived on the proceeds until the money ran out. The 74-year-old is now destitute. His cupboards are empty. His fridge would be too, but he has sold it to pay his water bill.
Zimbabwe is spiralling down into crisis again. Already five million people need food aid - nearly a third of the population. There are many like George.
In October 2018, the government implemented new monetary and fiscal policies. Last month there was a 150%
rise in fuel prices, triggering widespread protests. Over 90% of Zimbabweans do not have jobs, and those in rural areas depend on what they can grow on their own small patch of land. But poor rainfall in November meant planting was late this season. Rains have continued to be erratic, so harvest will probably not start in April as usual, but be delayed until May.
“Even worse than 2008”
“The situation in Zimbabwe is worse than I can recall, even worse than 2008,” said a social worker in Zimbabwe. She was referring to the catastrophic economic collapse and hyper-inflation that afflicted Zimbabwe eleven years ago. That was when Barnabas Fund began helping the neediest Christians, help which has continued ever since. But we urgently need your gifts so we can increase our support for Zimbabwe.
Stan (79) worked as a railway engineer most of his life. But like so many others of his generation, he lost all his savings and his pension in the economic collapse and hyper-inflation of 2008. He struggled to survive for many years, but when his poor health meant he could no longer work, he quickly became malnourished.
Helping the neediest elderly, children and women
Targeted food aid goes to the most vulnerable groups: meat, eggs, vegetables and fruit for those living in elderly care homes; other food aid for elderly living on their own like George and Stan; nutritional food supplement and fruit for children; and a special programme to help women and children in an overcrowded township.
