Malawi food crisis imminent

2005-08-11 22:29

Lilongwe - Malawi is facing its worst food crisis in over 10 years, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said on Thursday.

This was caused by drought, floods, consecutive poor harvests, endemic poverty and the effects of HIV/Aids.

More than 4.2 million people, or over 34% of the population, were unable to meet their food needs and maize production was the lowest in a decade.

"Early and above average rains had raised hopes for a good crop, but the rains failed during the critical period from late January to the end of February when the maize crop was pollinating and forming cobs," said Tesfai Ghermazien, FAO emergency co-ordinator in Malawi.

Exceptionally heavy rains in December and early January caused flooding and crop losses, especially in the southern and central parts of the country.

"We need urgent assistance from the donor community to prevent a further escalation of the crisis and to avert widespread hunger and malnutrition, especially among children under the age of five," Ghermazien said.

Interventions needed include food aid, agricultural inputs, such as seeds and fertilisers, and assistance with crop diversification.

- SAPA