The arrival of Zimbabwe's maize harvest has not done much to ease chronic food shortages and some of the organizations involved in food assistance efforts say they may have to resume distributions as early as next month to stave off hunger. 

Relief officials had hoped the harvest would meet food needs of rural dwellers in particular until August or so, but maize yields have disappointed hopes.

Rev. Forbes Matonga, national director of Christian Care, a main partner in Zimbabwe of the United Nations World Food Program, told reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that even in areas where food has become readily available in the marketplace, many lack the hard currency that is needed to purchase it.

More reports from VOA's Studio7 for Zimbabwe...