The Roman Catholic church in Zimbabwe is appealing for food aid in the country where more than 2 million people are facing hunger and starvation due to drought.
In a statement issued on April 4, the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) said that the poor rainy season experienced in the southern African country has left the citizens in distress.
Putting emphasis on the need to share, the bishops saw Mark 6:37, ‘You give them something to eat yourselves…’ befitting, citing the symbolic act of breaking bread by the risen Christ as well.
They said mostly it is the rural population and subsistence farmers in need of assistance. Their crops were a complete write-off and their livestock was left in short of grazing pastures.
The bishops also urged authorities against profiteering and politicising the food aid processes describing the drought as devastating.
“As it does happen in many nations, that the poor are abused because of their want. We appeal to all those who have means and who can help to desist from politicizing food aid. Hunger knows no political divisions..” reads part of the statement.

With Zimbabwe currently facing economic challenges characterised by high inflation of basic food commodities, the bishops highlighted that most Zimbabweans are already ‘struggling’ making the situation more dire.
Earlier, Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa told journalists that his country needs $2 billion to tackle the drought, declaring a national disaster.
Neighbouring Zambia and Malawi have also declared disasters in their states after a low rainfall season, making the drought regional.
Although experts have attributed extreme weather patterns worldwide to climate change, the bishops in Zimbabwe pray that no one dies of this drought extending their aid call to the international community.
Currently, Bishop Paul Horan (O.Carm) is the president of the ZCBC. He is also the Bishop of Mutare, a Diocese located in the eastern part of the country bordering Mozambique.
Meanwhile, Catholic Relief Services in Zimbabwe says they are committed to continue addressing food insecurities in the country.
“Our work is guided by Catholic values of preserving the sacredness and dignity of human life,” said the Catholic Relief Services in Zimbabwe.