Red Cross: After erratic rains, seed, fertilizer shortages, Zimbabwe at brink of food crisis

Red Cross: Zimbabwe back to brink of food crisis

HARARE, Zimbabwe — The Red Cross says an estimated 2.17 million Zimbabweans — perhaps a fourth of the population — are in need of food aid, and the number is set to rise if the 2010 harvest fails as expected.

In a statement Thursday, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies pleaded for international funds for urgent food aid to Zimbabwe. U.N. organizations also have appealed for more donor funds.

Erratic rain in the current season — too much in some areas and too little in others — has damaged crops of corn, the staple food across the southern African nation. The former regional breadbasket also was hit by acute shortages of seed and fertilizer.