The Zimbabwe government has blocked efforts by international donors to set up a US$85 million basket fund that would have allowed the private sector to import 400 000 tonnes of food into the famine-hit country, the Financial Gazette established Wednesday.
International aid agency sources yesterday said discussions on setting up the fund between the government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which had dragged on for more than four months, had all but broken down.
The UNDP was going to coordinate the basket fund that was also going to be used to finance other humanitarian imports such as essential medicines.
"As we speak, there are no more discussions taking place on the setting up of the fund," a senior officer with one food aid agency told the Financial Gazette.
Social Welfare Minister July Moyo could not be reached for comment on why there had been no agreement with donors on a fund seen as vital in a country that has seven million people, or half the population, facing starvation because of drought and policy failures.
International aid agency sources yesterday said discussions on setting up the fund between the government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which had dragged on for more than four months, had all but broken down.
The UNDP was going to coordinate the basket fund that was also going to be used to finance other humanitarian imports such as essential medicines.
"As we speak, there are no more discussions taking place on the setting up of the fund," a senior officer with one food aid agency told the Financial Gazette.
Social Welfare Minister July Moyo could not be reached for comment on why there had been no agreement with donors on a fund seen as vital in a country that has seven million people, or half the population, facing starvation because of drought and policy failures.