Olonga staged a personal protest during the World Cup

His comments follow Zimbabwe's decision to sever ties with the Commonwealth after member states refused to lift its suspension at a summit in Nigeria.

Former fast bowler Olonga believes teams should not tour on moral grounds.

"The country will lose as a whole if opportunities like this are not taken to try and highlight the plight of the people of Zimbabwe," he said.

Olonga hit the headlines earlier this year when he and team-mate Andy Flower wore black armbands during a World Cup game to mourn "the death of democracy" in their country.

England refused to play in Zimbabwe during the World Cup for safety reasons, forfeiting points which ultimately led to their failure to progress beyond the first round.

But David Morgan, chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, later gave what was described as a qualified assurance to the Zimbabwe Cricket Union that the 2004 tour would take place.

Zimbabwe cricket won't become financially bankrupt if England don't go Henry Olonga

"It would be pertinent for all countries that have a cricketing relationship with Zimbabwe to acknowledge the situation in Zimbabwe now.

"(But) I don't think we're going to get a strong stance from any other country than England," Olonga told BBC Sport.

The International Cricket Council has already indicated that the England and Wales Cricket Board would be unlikely to face any penalty for scrapping the tour, which is scheduled for next October.

"There are no sanctions that the ICC would impose on anyone," president Ehsan Mani said last month.

Olonga acknowledged that the loss of the tour would cost the Zimbabwe Cricket Union valuable revenue, but they could withstand the losses as other countries would continue to play there.

No way should we be playing sport in a country where the government is starving its own people From David Seager Have your say on TMS

"It will have a financial impact on Zimbabwe cricket - but Zimbabwe is more than just a cricket team. It's more than just television rights.

"It's about five million people potentially facing starvation and that cause to me is more important than any cricket tour," Olonga added.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has ruled out any rushed decision on whether the tour will go ahead.

"Our position is that we will continue to monitor the situation in Zimbabwe," said a spokesman.

Bangladesh are the next team scheduled to tour Zimbabwe, and will arrive there in February.