An Ayrshire aid worker trying to save 26,000 people from starvation in Zimbabwe has warned of the devastating impact the war in Ukraine is having on food security.
Peter McGeachie, from Prestwick, is the country director in Zimbabwe for Belfast-based overseas development agency Trócaire [meaning compassion], the Irish sister agency of SCIAF.
Peter, 62, is helping Trócaire tackle food poverty in Zimbabwe – with up to £2 million of extra funding coming from the UK Government.
All donations to Trócaire, prior to Wednesday, June 1, were doubled through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s UK Aid Match scheme.
Harare-based Peter has more than three decades experience working in some of the world’s poorest countries.
He said: “Communities here were already struggling to provide for their families because of the very serious effects of climate change and the challenges of Covid-19. But in recent weeks the situation has become significantly worse.
“Most people in Zimbabwe depend on rain-fed agriculture to feed their families. It’s coming to the end of the rainy season and unfortunately the rains have failed in many places.
“Coupled with this poor harvest is the effect of rising food prices. As in many countries around the world, including at home in Scotland, the war in Ukraine has seen the price of food and fuel sky-rocket in Zimbabwe in recent weeks. Inflation rates continue to spiral upwards.”
However Trócaire is working with communities in Zimbabwe to try to ensure that they are able to survive these latest shocks.
Peter said: “Covid-19 and the Ukraine conflict have only added to the problems already faced by seven million people in southern Zimbabwe, especially women, hit with drought caused by climate change.
“The Trócaire Lenten Appeal this year is putting the spotlight on Zimbabwe. We are delighted that the UK Government has pledged to match, pound for pound, every public donation made before June 1 to the appeal in the UK.”
Minister for Africa Vicky Ford said: “The UK Government is delighted that through UK Aid Match, we will again be doubling generous donations from the public, to support Trócaire’s valuable work.
“With your support, Trócaire will provide life-saving help for Zimbabwean families facing hunger through drought, climate change and a food security crisis exacerbated by Russia’s barbaric invasion, stealing food from the mouths of the world’s poorest people.”
For more information on Trócaire, visit its website here
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