Brussels, 24/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Monday the European Commission allocated €6 million in two separate decisions for victims of food shortages in Zimbabwe. The funds will mainly be used to distribute food to the poorest families in the most seriously affected districts of the country, to provide targeted nutritional support for children and to assist farm workers who have been affected by the land resettlement programme. Poul Nielson, the Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, expressed grave concern over the magnitude of the food crisis facing Zimbabwe and other countries in Southern Africa. Referring specifically to Zimbabwe's huge cereal deficit of some 1.8 million tonnes, Mr Nielson pointed out, however, that there were limits to what could be achieved with targeted humanitarian and food aid. "The private sector has a leading role to play in bringing food on to the market. The government must remove the constraints which are preventing this from happening."