But agronomists here say that until this famine the country produced enough corn and meat to feed its own people without imports or food handouts.

But while the economy rebounded and Congress provided relief for the poor, the demand for food handouts grew, along with the charity network.

During the food handout, men and women worked the crowd, recruiting new followers for Topiltzin.

In our old area the folk looking for free food handouts has doubled.

Close to two million Zimbabweans depended for survival on food handouts from international aid agencies.

Western aid officials calculate that at least a third of the city's population, perhaps a half, depend on food handouts from aid agencies.

Many are now reduced to living off food handouts in refugee camps.

A planned food handout was postponed and the aid agency temporarily pulled its staff out of the area.

Crops rotting People here complain that the food handouts have been irregular and the quantities too small.

Bailey, who only leaves her apartment at night to ask for food handouts, is a West Indian woman with all the appearances of a beggar.