Four million people suffer malnutrition in Zimbabwe

Close to four million people in Zimbabwe are affected by malnutrition. A quarter of this figure is made up of children under the age of 18.

A recent report from the government described the situation as alarming.

The malnutrition situation is the consequence of a severe drought which has struck the southern African country since February.

The Mwenezi district located east of the capital, remains the most affected.

Authorities are concerned about the situation of about 33, 000 children who still have difficulties accessing health care.

Officials fear the worst in the days ahead.

“In January, there were four children who were admitted in this programme. Then in February, the number increased to seven. So to me it shows that the situation is bad,” said Tarusenga Huturume, a nutritionist at the Mwenezi district hospital.

Zimbabwe has requested humanitarian assistance of about 1.6 billion dollars.

The country hopes to use the money to purchase grain and food for the affected population.

UNICEF representatives in Zimbabwe are meanwhile touring some seven districts to detect new cases.

Reuters