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Zimbabwe

Britain reaches out to drought victims in Zimbabwe

Harare, Zimbabwe (PANA) - Britain Friday donated 5.25 million pounds Sterling (US$8.2 million) to the World Food Programme (WFP) for drought food relief in Zimbabwe.

An estimated 7.8 million people in the southern African country are facing food shortages due to drought, which also affected other countries in the region.

The aid brings to 15.5 million pounds the amount of money Britain has provided its former colony for drought relief.

British High Commissioner Brian Donnelly said his country would also feed 1.5 million children and pregnant and nursing mothers to mitigate the effects of food shortages, particularly in rural areas.

Donnelly said London was likely to provide additional funds for drought relief efforts in Zimbabwe in July.

Britain and other critics, including the WFP, partly blame food shortages in Zimbabwe on the government's controversial land policies.

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