The British government must give more aid to Zimbabwe to prevent a humanitarian disaster when food runs out for many people in July, ActionAid said today.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai arrives in London on Friday as part of a tour of the US and Europe to drum up funds for Zimbabwe. He is due to meet Gordon Brown during his visit.

ActionAid believes the aid can be delivered through development agencies or through the United Nations but if necessary could also be channelled through Zimbabwean government ministries - as long as the process is transparent and accountable and the aid benefits those who need it most.

ActionAid Chief Executive Richard Miller said: “The people of Zimbabwe desperately need aid and it should be delivered so that it works in the most effective way possible.

“This is a moment of opportunity and the international community should be prepared to seize it.  The current political settlement is the only game in town. It is the best hope for change and we need to take it at face value for the good of all in Zimbabwe.”

Richard Miller has recently returned from a trip to Zimbabwe where he saw for himself that the country is facing a food crisis. Farmers did not have enough seeds, tools or fertiliser during the last planting season which meant the latest harvest was poor. A total of about 1.2million people will need food aid by July as they will have run out of food stocks.

He concluded: “We have a three month window to supply small scale farmers with seeds and tools before the next planting season in October in order to avert an even bigger humanitarian disaster.”

ActionAid’s work in Zimbabwe focuses on support for farmers and those living with HIV and Aids. Since the cholera outbreak in August 2008 the work has expanded to include water sanitation and health.

For more information or to arrange interviews with Richard Miller contact Anjali Kwatra on 020 7561 7633, mobile 07941 371357.