Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 2:45 pm on 20 January 2009.
My Lords, we are working with our international partners to encourage a resolution of the crisis. Mugabe's regime continues to stand in the way of political progress. Its failed policies have devastated Zimbabwe's economy and infrastructure. As a result, nearly 6 million people are in need of food aid and cholera has killed some thousands. Our immediate priority is to provide humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the Zimbabwean people—the innocent victims of these failed policies.