The programme will enable over 12,000 small-scale farmers to improve life and food security in entire communities affected by economic hardship, compounded by the violence following last year’s elections. In all, some 60,000 people will benefit.

These communities were particularly affected by the economic crisis and the ensuing food shortages in Zimbabwe. They have no access to seed for the planting season starting this month. The ICRC's assistance will enable them to plant now and harvest in several months.

The ICRC's field teams will be distributing approximately 600 tonnes of food, 600 tonnes of fertilizer and 380 tonnes of maize, beans, sorghum, groundnuts and cowpea seed in five districts – Mbire, Mudzi, Mutoko, Rushinga and Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe. The farming season in Zimbabwe starts at the end of this month and the distribution has been timed to coincide with this period.

"In order to make sure that people use the seed for cultivation, and to ensure that farmers have enough food until the next harvest, we have given them maize, oil and salt," explained Thomas Merkelbach, head of the regional delegation in Harare.

The programme is expected to allow the cultivation of over 16,000 hectares. Before distributing the seed, the ICRC trained selected farmers in the conservation farming techniques that will enable them to optimize timing and productivity.

The ICRC has been operating in Zimbabwe since the 1960s. The organization works in close cooperation with the authorities to improve the living conditions of people deprived of their freedom, promote humanitarian principles, deliver basic health services and improve the water supply in urban and rural areas.