FOOD SECURITY REMAINS CRITICAL IN PARTS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA SAYS UN HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICE

FOOD SECURITY REMAINS CRITICAL IN PARTS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

SAYS UN HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICE

NEW YORK, 7 November (OCHA) -- In several countries in southern Africa, food security remains critical, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said today.  This is especially true for Zimbabwe, where both rural and urban populations have only limited access to food.  An increasing number of families cannot afford basic food due to the escalating prices.  The cost of a basic monthly food basket for a low-income family, for example, is six times higher than the Government’s minimum wage for industrial workers.

Also, in Zimbabwe, prospects for the 2003-2004 agricultural year are dim, due to poor availability of agricultural inputs, lack of foreign exchange and counterproductive policies.  Humanitarian agencies are in the process of distributing seeds and tools to households for the season.  Approximately 5,000 metric tons of maize seeds are scheduled for distribution.  Currently, due to high inflation and inadequate supplies of seeds and fertilizers in the country, their prices have increased, in some cases substantially.  In some districts, seeds and fertilizer are not available in commercial markets.  Many farmers are therefore affected.

In Mozambique, approximately 659,000 people living in the south and centre of the country are extremely food insecure due to limited post-harvest stocks.  During October, due to pipeline constraints, the World Food Programme (WFP) Mozambique was able to meet the needs of only around 70 per cent of these people.  Confirmation of additional resources to meet their needs is urgently required.

In Lesotho, serious drought has persisted in most of the country since April this year.  This has lead to the complete failure of winter crops in the Lowlands and Foothills.  Insufficient rainfall during October and into November may jeopardize the 2003-2004 agricultural season, as many farmers, particularly in the mountain areas, have missed the prime time for planting certain crops.  Humanitarian agencies are concerned that many households may have reduced access to food because of the lost winter production and reduced potential for the coming season.  According to the WFP, between 600,000 and 700,000 people could be in need of food aid in the coming months.  Agencies also fear that outbreaks of diseases caused by the consumption of stagnant water may occur.

However, in Malawi, normal to above-normal rainfall is expected in most of the country, while rains have begun in Mozambique.  Zambia is also expected to experience normal rains in most of the country.

Funding for the southern Africa appeal stands at about 20 per cent overall.  Breaks in the food pipeline are expected in January, and funding for other aid is urgently needed.

For further information, please call:  Stephanie Bunker, OCHA NY, tel.: (917) 367 5126, mobile: 917 892 1679; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA Geneva, tel.: (41 22) 917 26 53, mobile: (41 O) 79 473 45 70.

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