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HARARE - Theft, prostitution and child labour are some of the means hunger-stricken communities in Zimbabwe are using to cope with the effects of drought and food shortages, according to a recent United Nations report.

A humanitarian situation report published this week by the UN relief and recovery unit in Harare and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET) cited a UN report which identified several 'coping mechanisms' that people are resorting to, to ensure personal survival.

"Stealing is one of the coping strategies by people in both rural and urban areas," said the report, adding that the thieves' main targets are grain and stock.

Hunger has also forced villagers to poach wild animals, particularly in newly resettled farms, while others take to prostitution.

"Prostitution has generally increased in urban areas and growth points (rural service centres)," said the report.

A drought, the worst in a decade in southern Africa, coupled with two years of controversial government-led land reforms have plunged Zimbabwe into an increasingly dire humanitarian situation, experts say.

Young children who should be going to school are forced to work either as traders or in illegal gold-panning activities in rivers to try to make ends meet for their families.

"Young children in both rural and urban areas are being used as part of the survival system. They are sent selling a variety of goods," said the report.

The report said some Zimbabweans have been "seeking relief from food insecurity and economic stress beyond their borders", with many leaving the country to do menial jobs in neighbouring countries or further afield.

"Remittances from relatives working outside the country form an important aspect of the survival strategies," it said.

An estimated 7,8 million people, including 5,4 million children are faced with hunger in Zimbabwe.

Kenzo Oshima, UN under Secretary General for humanitarian affairs, last month described Zimbabwe's food crisis as "very serious".

In April Mugabe declared a state of emergency, opening the doors for international aid to a country which has traditionally been a regional breadbasket. Zimbabwe needs to import a total of 1,8 million tonnes of food to survive until the next harvest in 2003.

Six other African nations - Angola, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia - face serious hunger problems because of combinations of bad weather, poor policy and conflict.

On July 1, the UN World Food Programme launched an appeal to provide emergency food to affected southern African countries. Zimbabwe's needs comprise 45 per cent of the total regional appeal. - Nampa-Sapa-AFP

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