Hope for Zimbabwe?

Last Friday, it was announced that the U.S. will provide $73,000,000 in aid to Zimbabwe. The announcement was made after a White House meeting between President Obama and Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

President Obama noted that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has oftentimes “not acted in the best interest of the Zimbabwean people and has been resistant to the democratic changes that need to take place. But, he continued, “we now have a power-sharing agreement that shows promise, and we want to do everything we can to encourage the kinds of improvement not only on human rights and rule of law, freedom of the press and democracy that is so necessary, but also on the economic front.”

The aid will not be going directly to the government, Obama continued, “because we are concerned about consolidating democracy, human rights and rule of law. But it will be going directly to the people in Zimbabwe.” The Zimbabwean Prime Minister remarked that he is grateful for the generosity. “Whether it is humanitarian aid or transitional support, it adds up to the relief that Zimbabwe is seeking.”

With record inflation, a decaying national infrastructure and a cholera epidemic that has forced tens of thousands to flee the country, this can only be the beginning of the relief that the people of Zimbabwe need. Let us continue to keep them in our prayers.