Is there not something practical we can do to help these children? A charity in the area we can give money to, for instance? I feel so helpless reading these reports. It is all very well feeling sorry for them, but I feel I should do something as well. The question is what? Any ideas?

Deborah Hayward, London, UK

Only God can and does protect Africa's children, not pretenders grabbing every opportunity to spread cheap propaganda about Mugabe and Africa in general.
Regarding Brown's staying at home, tell me which African has been saddened by it, none.
Infact if the entire EU wanted to stay away, we dont mind.
Remember, this' a meeting for EU, not AU.
And now that Martin fletcher has shown commendable analytical skills in his report, I hope next time he'll use his journalism calling to educate the world on how 2000 whites do own 80% of Zimbabwe's argricultural land.
But since this' likely to be a tall order for good Mr. Fletcher, I choose to remind him, and his ilk, that not only do we support Mugabe but we love him alot.

machelo, Nairobi, Kenya

*Leave our children alone, cry of the Iraq and afghan children being killed by your army. Zimbabweans will help themselves.*

Mwana Wevhu, Dublin, Ireland


When? I see no great help being offered by Zimbabweans, Mugabe is promoting genocide of his people and you are in Dublin? and you will help .. how?

JJ, Auckland, New Zealand

Ian Smith did say this would happen. How prophetic he was...

Simon Carter, London,

Africa doesn't care they have proved that.
Bush won't care, Brown won't care like Blair before him - you see it is very simple their is no oil and no lucrative contracts to be had.

Fed Up, Bangkok, Thailand

Why is it that the Funkes, Machelos, Phiris and Samuels of this world are so conspicuously absent from commenting on the plight of Mugabe's victims such as these?

James, Perth, Australia

While the world fusses over climate change and the damage that may befall us in the future, where is the concern for such tragedies that are unfolding right now, under our nose?

If they can't tax it they don't care!

Roger, London, UK

Leave our children alone, cry of the Iraq and afghan children being killed by your army. Zimbabweans will help themselves.

Mwana Wevhu, Dublin, Ireland

The blame all lies at Mugabe's door - in his crazed megalomania he has blamed the UK in particular and the West in general for the mess he has made. He has destroyed homes and farms, the economy of Zimbabwe is in freefall and all because he wants to retain power. God help these poor children. Many more will die before Mugabe does and then, hopefully, there will be some hope of restoring democracy. The fact that the EU has gone against its own sanctions and invited Mugabe to the Portugal summit is a travesty. Fortunately there will be a group of "diaspora" Zimbabweans living here in the UK going to demonstrate in Portugal, helped by supporters' financial assistance - there IS action being taken. Our Government has not been inactive, but of course Mugabe constantly uses Colonialist Imperialist argument as his excuse. Pray he goes soon.

Sue Shaw, Morpeth, UK

Only God can help these unfortunate people. They cannot rely on the SADC countries for help.
Brown is quite correct for not going to Lisbon. If other countries in th EU had the same courage they would call off this farcical meeting with the AU. They should be told to stay at home and keep their begging bowls with them.

Brian O Cinneide, eThekwini, Africa Borwa

It is to all of our shame that we have not intervened to prevent the geriatric meglomaniac Mugabe from inflicting such terrible harm on the innocent children of Zimbabwe .

Arnold Ward, Weybridge, Surrey, UK

Gilbert Phiri from Swindon and John from Kiev (I have high suspicions you are one and the same), you defenders of everything that is Mugabe, please can you forget your thoughts of loyalty to anyone, never mind Mugabe and THINK.

Surely, Martin Fletcher's report regarding these poor orphans (Thanks to the Mugabe regime), left to fend for themselves, driven to prostitution in order to try and feed their siblings, must hit a spot somewhere in your hearts??? Or will you blaim Western Colonism for that yet again..

If you still pretend it is all our fault that your home country's children have to rely on their elder sisters (i.e. 10 to 12 year olds' as their mum and dad have died) to provide food in this discusting way, I'm afraid you are beyond redemption and shame on you Gilbert & John

If you really cared you would by now be on a flight to Harare & help out with the lovely Mugabe by your side rather than voice your opinions from the comfort of a nice home. I don't hold my breath

LT, Warminster, UK

How can world leaders stand by doing nothing? Why do we allow our politicians to do nothing? Why do we vote for these people? What good are they? Why hasn't Mugabe been stopped? It's all about money, greed and power, and not just Mugabe's.

I believe that we are here to care for one another and the planet, and I'm not even remotely religious. I fear for the world and all who inhabit it.

Love is so powerful... and so necessary for our survival.

J. Moore, Vancouver, Canada