23 countries facing food crisis

2004-07-07 09:13

Rome - With problems ranging from violent conflicts to Aids to locusts, a total of 23 sub-Saharan African countries could suffer food emergencies this summer, a UN agency said on Tuesday.

Even though the area's food-aid needs have dropped - to an estimated 2.9 million tons this year as opposed to four million in 2003 - the Food and Agriculture Organisation said millions of people would still need help.

The Rome-based agency's Africa Report cited the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan, and expressed concern about the effects of insufficient rain and violence in East Africa.

"In Somalia, the situation is very alarming as the cumulative effects of recurrent droughts and long-running civil strife have led to severe food insecurity," the agency said.

An invasion of locusts was causing problems in West Africa despite good 2003 harvests. Central Africa enjoyed good weather, but expected cereal production to drop due to civil strife, the agency said.

HIV/Aids and drought were causing problems in southern Africa, with an estimated drop in cereal production of 4 percent this year compared with 2003. Zimbabwe was hard hit for various reasons, including poor rain, Aids and underused farms, the agency said.

"Hyperinflation, combined with extremely high levels of unemployment greatly limit access to food for the most vulnerable people," it said.

The agency's previous Africa Report was issued in April.

- SAPA