15654. THE PROBLEM OF HUNGER IN ZIMBABWE. This paper reports on the progress (or lack thereof) made by Zimbabwe since the 1996 World Food Summit in the eradication of hunger; identifies the major obstacles an difficulties Zimbabwe faces in overcoming hunger; and summarizes proposed plans for improving the progress towards achieving the goal of reducing hunger. Zimbabwe's food security position is found to have deteriorated markedly since 1996. Although inclement weather plays a partial role in the current crisis, the major causes of Zimbabwe's food security problems are political and can be traced to Mugabe's land-reform programs, the recent "land invasions," and the mismanagement of the Zimbabwean economy. The AIDS epidemic is cited as a key factor in which must be addressed as part of longer-term efforts to solve the hunger crisis. 17 pages, 47 footnotes, 33 bibliographic sources.