Posted on 10/16/2005 6:06:56 PM PDT by blam
Starvation disaster grips Malawi
By David Blair, Africa Correspondent
(Filed: 17/10/2005)
A national disaster has been declared in Malawi where five million people - almost half of the population - are threatened by starvation.
Poor rains have produced the worst harvest in more than a decade.
President Bingu wa Mutharika broadcast to the country saying: "We are facing a national disaster affecting the lives of our people." He added that the "food crisis has escalated and we need more assistance".
The crisis is exacerbated by the Aids epidemic. About 16 per cent of adult Malawians are infected with HIV or Aids. This increases their vulnerability to malnutrition and reduces their ability to work the fields.
Malawi has suffered annual food shortages since a drought in 2001. The World Food Programme has responded by giving it essential supplies every year.
The agency has responded to the current crisis by appealing for £50 million from international donors. So far, less than £17 million has been received.
If so, it would be the first weather-caused starvation crisis in Africa. From Ethiopia, to Somalia, Zimbabwe, it is always governments and their policies that cause starvation.
They have a whole lot of problems. But, for just fifty million pounds they can be cured. Sounds like some of the e-mails I get that offer to cure any problems they think I have for a small fee.
Starvation in Malawi?
Maybe President Bingu better get some of that money out of his Swiss bank account and buy some food...why not from Zimbabwe?
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