GLOBAL CONNECTIONS UPDATE: ZIMBABWE

Ongoing economic collapse and the impending election in Zimbabwe have meant difficulties in the distribution of humanitarian efforts in this African country. To date, several humanitarian organizations have been hampered in their ability to carry relief efforts to constituents. In recent days, a truck carrying supplies was reported to have been commandeered by government officials and distributed to local supporters in exchange for votes in the upcoming election.

This troubling news affects the distribution of the 3.62 million meals packed by thousands in the Willow Creek community as part of this spring’s Celebration of Hope. These meals, packed in partnership with Feed My Starving Children, a Minneapolis-based relief organization, left the U.S. on June 9 and are estimated to reach Africa early in August. Upon arrival, meals were to be distributed to school children in Zimbabwe by World Vision and Joint Aid Management.

Because both of these organizations have a long history of success in relief efforts, leaders in Willow’s Global Connections Ministry trust decisions made regarding distribution of these meals. World Vision and Joint Aid Management have indicated they will make every effort to get the food to Zimbabwe rather than divert it to another country. While this could mean a delay in shipping the meals, school children in Zimbabwe are still the targeted recipients.

“We feel comfortable with this plan and we trust the judgment of the experienced partners to make the right call,” said Warren Beach, a leader in Global Connections. “Nevertheless, because these unsettling times affect the food crisis not only in Zimbabwe, but many other countries, we must not stop supporting this important initiative in prayer. We must also pray for despair to give rise to hope in Zimbabwe where people have experienced severe economic hardship and hunger has become a daily reality for millions.”

Global Connections will continue to monitor the situation in Zimbabwe and stay informed regarding the steps taken to attempt to provide this much-needed food to the children in Africa.

World Vision has operated in Zimbabwe since 1975 and Join Aid Management, a South African Christian relief and development organization has 23 years of experience in Sub-Saharan Africa.