Feeding a famine

Zimbabwe | Politically created and sustained famine "dwarfs" those of Ethiopia and Sudan that captured so many headlines. Church groups are stepping in to relieve suffering and call governments to act. But the problems of Zimbabwe are not likely to end before its dictatorship does | Mindy Belz

In the streets of Zimbabwe the question is basic: Will the food last until the end of the month? Mothers and other experts agree: It probably won't.

Zimbabwe and five other nations of southern Africa face "probably the biggest famine of our lifetime," according to Clive Calver, president of World Relief. In September Mr. Calver toured the region, where 13 million people are expected to go hungry in coming months. Mr. Calver said the current famine "dwarfs" highly publicized famines in Ethiopia and Sudan of recent years.

Other experts agree that it could be the worst and most widespread run of severe hunger anywhere in the last 60 years. "We have seen a frightening and rapid deterioration in the condition of many children," said Festo Kavishe, UNICEF representative in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital. "We are trying to provide a timely and relevant response to save children from severe damage if not death."