Starvation Threat in Zimbabwe by Gavin Du Venage, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe The Australian 1:58pm 10th Feb, 2003   February 10, 2003    ZIMBABWE'S starving millions have less than one month's food supply, pushing the country to the brink of a massive human tragedy, according to a new report.    The latest United Nations Humanitarian Situation Report says the World Food Program's pipeline will be cut off sometime next month when the existing food supply runs out.    In the report, UN special envoy James Morris says the food program only has pledges of support until the end of March.    Unless renewed aid is forthcoming, the 7.2 million Zimbabweans who are entirely dependent on food aid face certain death.    Analysts fear the effects of a full-scale famine could precipitate a collapse of the social order similar to that which has beset the Horn of Africa over the past decade.    "Events are moving extremely fast now," says a senior foreign diplomatic source in Harare. "The Mugabe Government has run out of ideas and has no room to manoeuvre. We're in the endgame now."    The Government may have bought itself a brief respite with the upcoming World Cup cricket matches scheduled to be played in Zimbabwe. The $US10 million the event is expected to inject will, temporarily at least, ease the chronic shortage of foreign currency.    Lack of foreign currency has made it impossible for Zimbabwe to import food, fuel, spare parts, and other economic essentials.    The money from the cricket, however, is unlikely to win President Robert Mugabe's Government much time. A just published survey by the Harare-based Mass Public Opinion Institute warns that rolling mass action against the Government is increasingly likely. The survey shows that 66 per cent of Zimbabweans want Mr Mugabe gone and that 31 per cent support the use of civil disobedience to bring an end to his rule.    The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is also coming under local criticism for failing to break the long-running standoff between itself and the Government.    Mass Public Opinion Institute head of research Charles Mangongera maintains the increasing build-up of frustration among the population could severely limit the ability of leaders to control events.    "The persistent economic hardships and the frustration over the blocked transition to democratic governance are taking their toll on people's patience.    "A patience that could be running out against both the Government and the opposition," he said Visit the related web page
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