The food crisis in Zimbabwe continues although aid groups are now providing rations to some 7 million people and increased commercial and private imports of food are helping bring down prices as the U.S.-based Famine Early Warning Systems Network recently reported.
Sources at the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe said there is plenty of food on grocery shelves but many people lack the foreign currency needed to purchase such essentials.
And non-governmental organizations say the number of those needing aid keeps rising.
For perspective on conditions in Zimbabwean food markets and food assistance programs VOA reporter Patience Rusere turned to Dennis Nikisi, director of the University of Zimbabwe Graduate School of Management and spokesman Fambai Ngirande of the National Association of Non-Governmental Organizations.
Ngirande said food is widely available but accessible only to those who can afford it.
