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BY Own Correspondent THE Japanese government has donated 20 000 metric tonnes of maize to government’s Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy (FDMS) through the World Food Programme (WFP) to assist almost half the population facing hunger. In a statement yesterday, the Japan embassy in Harare said the donation would meet the food security needs of vulnerable households. Last year in June, the Japanese government donated 30 000 metric tonnes of maize to government. “In this valuable partnership between Japan and Zimbabwe, WFP played a fundamental role — using its expertise in supply chain management to procure maize from South Africa and deliver it directly to the government’s Grain Marketing Board silos in Harare and Bulawayo. “The donation comes at a time the country is facing serious food shortages induced by drought, inflation and COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has also increased vulnerability levels in the country as the livelihoods of informal sector workers have been affected by the lockdown,” read the embassy statement. Zimbabwe experienced three successive years of drought, resulting in severe food shortages. However, crop production is expected to improve this year, but might be 30% below the five and ten-year averages. “The total number of food insecure people now stands at 7,7 million — almost half the population — but the number is expected to go down as the country’s prospects of a good harvest are high.” Public Service minister Paul Mavima received the donation on behalf of government. “The gesture was extended as a way of complementing government efforts in ensuring food security to vulnerable households in the country. This came against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic which caused depletions of the sources of livelihoods of our populace, hence, exacerbating their food insecurity,” Mavima said. Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Satoshi Tanaka said: “The government of Japan decided to provide this donation of maize given the severity of the current humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe. I hope that, through WFP and FDMS, it will reach the most vulnerable households as soon as possible so that they can meet their basic needs.” WFP country representative and director, Francesca Erdelmann said the organisation would work closely with government to improve food security and strive towards zero hunger by 2030. Follow us on Twitter @NewsDayZimbabwe
In May, Burundi held a presidential election which was won by Evariste Ndayishimiye, candidate of the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party.
Ndayishimiye was hurriedly sworn in after the untimely death of president Pierre Nkurunziza in June.
Rights violations continue
The Council encouraged donor countries which had suspended aid to Burundi to continue dialogue towards resumption of development assistance.
A report by a UN watchdog in September said human rights violations were still being committed in Burundi, including sexual violence and murder.
The country was plunged into a crisis in April 2015 when Ndayishimiye’s predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a controversial third term, which he ultimately won in July 2015.
His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted in a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup in May 2015.
Hundreds of people were killed and over 300,000 fled to neighboring countries.
By ERIC TUCKER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed the criminal case against former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn but pointedly noted that a pardon Flynn received from the president last month does not mean that he is innocent. The order from U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan was expected in light of the pardon from President Donald Trump that wiped away Flynn's conviction for lying to the FBI during the Russia investigation. Sullivan acknowledged in his 43-page order that the president's broad pardon powers required dismissal and that the decision to pardon him […]
The post Judge dismisses Flynn case following pardon from Trump appeared first on Black News Channel.
BULAWAYO residents have expressed concern over the state of the city’s drainage system that they claim is likely to cause flash floods and lead to loss of lives and property as rain season gets into full swing. PRAISEMOPRE SITHOLE They urged the city council to move with pace to improve the drainage system. On Monday, flash floods hit parts of Bulawayo resulting in several houses being flooded with water while some roads were waterlogged. The heavy downpour pounded the city for several hours. In an interview with the Southern Eye, Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) chairperson Ambrose Sibindi said they had received complaints from residents about the poor drainage systems. “For example, some of the complaints came from Cowdray Park where residents said that the water was flowing into their houses due to poor drainage systems,” Sibindi said. “In the central business district there are also quite a number of places experiencing the same problem. “Other complaints were received from Pumula South and Old Pumula. I think the BCC needs to come up with teams that will look into these issues because if it is not looked into effectively we may end up losing lives.” He said residents needed to play their part because in some situations, they were responsible for blocking drainage systems through dumping of waste. Meanwhile, Kadoma Progressive Residents Association (KPRA) chairperson George Goliati said the recent incessant rains had exposed that many councils did not improve their drainage systems. “The city's old suburbs, Rimuka and Munhumutapa, have contended with poor drainage systems for over a decade with the council engineering department failing to repair a single drain over the years,” Goliati said. “Rimuka Street particularly near Ndiweni up to Munda Street around Zengwe has endured poor drainage and of late raw sewage is flowing on the streets, putting residents’ lives at the mercy of communicable diseases.” Ibhetshu lika Zulu secretary Mbuso Fuzwayo said: “Our failing economy is the key contributor because the council is no longer servicing its drainage systems like what used to happen in the past. “The prevalence of vendors at all the corners of the city is another factor causing problems because some sell mangoes at places where there are no refuse bins to place litter.” Bulawayo Mayor Solomon Mguni was not available for comment, while the deputy Mayor Mlandu Ncube said he was in a meeting.
