By: Priscila Néri, Posted: Feb 20 09

Regions: Africa, Zimbabwe

Issues: Food & health & development, Humanitarian, Violence

Tags: food shortage, humanitarian, hunger, Mugabe, political oppression, violence, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe turns 85 this weekend and - while his supporters plan a lavish birthday celebration that could cost up to $300,000 - Zimbabwe is immersed in the worst humanitarian crisis in its history, a result of years of political violence and instability.

Inflation in Zimbabwe - the highest in the world - reached 231 million percent in July (last time the government released official statistics), rendering the local currency worthless and causing a collapse of basic social services like healthcare and education.  Independent experts believe the current inflation rates are at 10 sextillion percent.  According to the UN, 94% of Zimbabweans are now unemployed and up to 7 million of the country's population of 9 million are facing massive food shortages and hunger.  Lack of clean drinking water and access to medical treatment have also fueled an epidemic of cholera, a treatable disease that has already left roughly 3,700 dead and another 39,000 ill since August.   

In recent days, some political progress has been made with a new power-sharing agreement between President Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, now sworn in as the country's Prime Minister.  Today's Pick - a video by Solidarity Peace Trust - provides an overview of the challenges ahead.

[Please be advised that this video contains graphic imagery]

Watch more videos on Zimbabwe to learn more and take action with the British Red Cross.