…harsh economic policies and conditions causing untold suffering
Beverly Bizeki
Zimbabweans are in a ‘war for survival’ as the majority of people are struggling to make a living owing to harsh economic policies and conditions causing untold suffering to them according to Vendors Initiative for Social-Economic Transformation (VISET).
In a statement released by VISET on September 21 to mark commemorations of The International Day of Peace, Zimbabweans are living in poverty.
“Today the nation finds itself in the grip of another war, one that is dominated by the fight for survival as the majority poor struggle to make a living owing to the harsh economic policies and conditions that have caused untold suffering for the past two decades.
“Food inflation in the country has been estimated to be at 350 percent by the World Bank which is the highest in the world,” read part of the statement.
According to VISET the situation in the country has been worsened by the war pitting Ukraine against Russia which has seen a sharp increase in prices of edible oils, grains and cereals.
“Zimbabwe’s economic woes, and indeed the world’s have been exacerbated by the war pitting Ukraine against Russia, and has seen skyrocketing of prices of edible oils, grains and cereals,” added the statement.
VISET further stated that the situation clearly illustrates ‘the need for world peace as the price is too heavy to pay’.
VISET urged the world at large as they celebrate the day to strive to bring to an end to the Russia Ukraine war as part of International Day of Peace.
“We hope that as the world commemorates this year’s Day of Peace, it brings home the urgency to strive for the end to the Russia-Ukraine war and for the United Nations to use the platform of their annual General Assembly to bring together the warring parties and declare an end to the war,” read the statement.
The day was established in 1981 by the United Nations under resolution UN 36/37 and is dedicated to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peace.
The day was celebrated under the theme End Racism. Build Peace.
Zimbabwe attained independence in 1980 after the liberation war struggle where several black lives were lost in the fight for racial equality and the right to self-determination.
The nation is however plunged into yet another war for due to economic woes fighting the country.
