The economic crisis that gripped Zimbabwe is one of the primary issues scheduled to be discussed during the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit that kicked off on Thursday in Zambia’s capital Lusaka.

About half of the population struggles with poverty because of the increasing unemployment rate, as the economy suffered a backfall in the past years and inflation continues to rise. Many rely only on aid received from the government or humanitarian organizations to survive and their discontent rises with each day.

That is why Zambia’s president Levy Mwanawasa made a call to all Zimbabweans to keep in mind national interest and peace despite personal dissatisfactions.

“Put your self interest aside and work in unity. I strongly advise you to maintain peace and unity at all costs,” Mwanawasa said. “The SADC summit will assist, where it can, to bail Zimbabwe out of its current economic doldrums.”

Mwanawasa stressed that the crisis can be surpassed through unity and dialogue between citizens, not through battles for personal interests. He also said that SADC members are backing such positive initiatives, but Zimbabweans have to understand the true meaning of reconciliation before trying to obtain a solution.

Country leaders attending the summit will discuss pressing issues like poverty, deficiencies in the infrastructural and trade sector, along with additional security measures in the region.

SADC leaders are expected to form a platform for aiding Zimbabwe after South African President Thabo Mbeki presents his report on the country. Mbeki was delegated to closely observe the situation and elaborate a report that would constitute the backbone of a development program.

Zimbabwe’s economy is ailing under the rule of Robert Mugabe, who couldn't tilt up the economy that used to be one of the strongest in Africa. His reforms failed to ease inflation or draw foreign investors, despite wide range of natural resources that Zimbabwe has.

Political turmoil hampered the progress and raised tensions among people that have to fight poverty and outbreaks of diseases.