Zimbabwe, Economic Crisis for the Eldlerly
April 2009
Zimbabwe's new Unity Government has suspended the use of the Zimbabwean dollar for a year.
The dollar had become a symbol of President Robert Mugabe's teetering rule: an ailing economy, high unemployment, collapsed infrastructure and social services. More than half the 12 million population are now reliant on emergency food aid. The Zimbabwean dollar has been replaced by the South African rand, Botswanan pula and US dollar. For thousands of older people it means their savings are worthless. They have no way of acquiring foreign currency, which they need to buy food and other essentials.
Emmanuel Zinhare, who is struggling to support his family after his savings in Zimbabwean dollars became worthless, poses for a portrait in his home at an elderly people's home that is supported by Helpage, in Masowe, Zimbabwe on the 22nd April, 2009.
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Zimbabwe, Economic Crisis for the Eldlerly
April 2009
David, who is from Mozambique and came to work in Zimbabwe in the 70;s, and his wife, who is from Zimbabwe, prepare a meal at an elderly people's home, assisted by Helpage in Masowe, Zimbabwe on the 22nd April, 2009.
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Zimbabwe, Economic Crisis for the Eldlerly
April 2009
An elderly resident who is blind sits on his bed, at an elderly people's home, assisted by Helpage in Masowe, Zimbabwe on the 22nd April, 2009.
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Zimbabwe, Economic Crisis for the Eldlerly
April 2009
Sekwerekwe Bitoni sits on the floor of his home, that is a disused railway carriage, at an elderly people;s home that is supported by Helpage, in Mazowe, Zimbabwe on the 22nd April, 2009.
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Zimbabwe, Economic Crisis for the Eldlerly
April 2009
Sekwerekwe Bitoni eats his daily meal of maize at an elderly peoples home in Mazowe, Zimbabwe on the 22nd April, 2009.
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Zimbabwe, Economic Crisis for the Eldlerly
April 2009
Sekwerekwe Bitoni ( C ) is photographed with two other men at a community meeting, at an elderly people;s home that is supported by Helpage, in Mazowe, Zimbabwe on the 22nd April, 2009.
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Zimbabwe, Economic Crisis for the Eldlerly
April 2009
An elderly woman holds up the only beans her and her husband have to eat that day at their house near Masowe, Zimbabwe on the 22nd April,
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Zimbabwe, Economic Crisis for the Eldlerly
April 2009
Masiziba Saiba is sits in her room with her life savings of Zimbabwean dollars that are now worthless, at Melford Farm and elderly persons residence that is supported by Helpage, in Harare, Zimbabwe on the 23rd April, 2009.
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Zimbabwe, Economic Crisis for the Eldlerly
April 2009
Masiziba Saiba is sits in her room with her life savings of Zimbabwean dollars that are now worthless, at Melford Farm and elderly persons residence that is supported by Helpage, in Harare, Zimbabwe on the 23rd April, 2009.
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Zimbabwe, Economic Crisis for the Eldlerly
April 2009
Masiziba Saiba is sits in her room with her life savings of Zimbabwean dollars that are now worthless, at Melford Farm and elderly persons residence that is supported by Helpage, in Harare, Zimbabwe on the 23rd April, 2009.
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Zimbabwe, Economic Crisis for the Eldlerly
April 2009
Smao Kemobo, a resident of Melford Farm elderly people's home sits fro a photograph n Harare, Zimbabwe on the 23rd April, 2009.
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Zimbabwe, Economic Crisis for the Eldlerly
April 2009
Jesca Seremani, who has lost seven of her eight children to aids, poses for a photograph in her house in the Epworth area of Harare, Zimbabwe on the 23rd April, 2009.
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