Posted on 05/29/2002 5:11:14 PM PDT by yankeedame
Wednesday, 29 May, 2002, 15:03 GMT 16:03 UK
Millions at risk in southern Africa
Basic food supplies have been destroyed by drought
At least 10 million people face starvation in four southern African countries unless the international community acts swiftly, UN aid agencies have warned.
We have to get the message out to donors - a famine can be averted if they act quickly
WFP regional director Judith Lewis A report jointly compiled by the UN World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organisation - one of the most comprehensive to date of the crisis - said that famine in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland is not yet widespread, but warned that urgent action is needed in order to avert a humanitarian crisis.
It added that once information is completed from two other southern African countries - Zambia and Mozambique - the situation would appear "even bleaker".
There are several reasons, the report states, for the current crisis, including drought, economic policies and, in Zimbabwe, the disruption of farming due to the government's controversial land reform programme.
The price of maize - southern Africa's staple food - has also soared due to drought affecting the crop in countries such as Malawi.
Situation urgent
Both agencies have called on international donors to provide supplies, estimating that southern Africa will have to import almost 4 million tonnes of food over the next year if it is to meet the needs of its population.
The WFP has estimated that the cost of such an international aid operation would be around $400 million, Reuters news agency reported.
"We have to get the message out to donors - a famine can be averted if they act quickly," Judith Lewis, WFP's regional director for southern and eastern Africa, told Reuters.
"Much needs to be done, and we need to do it now."
The crisis has been made worse by the high rate of HIV and Aids in the region, which has weakened the local population's resistance to disease and left them more susceptible to famine.
In addition, climatologists have warned that El Nino, a periodic warming of part of the Pacific Ocean, may well return this year, which could in turn lead to yet more floods and drought in the stricken region.
We are the world...we are the suckers...
Please pick up the courtesy phone. Line #1.
Let 'em rot.
Both agencies have called on the United States to give away oodles of money and food to this bunch of fly fodder, estimating that one of the most agriculturally worthless areas of the world will have to import almost 4 million tones of grub over the next year if it is to feed the irresponsible, teeming hordes of chicken kickers. Of course if America were starving, nobody would know our names.
The WFP has estimated that the cost of such an international aid operation would be around $400 million, Reuters news agency reported.
They added that the lion's share of the burden would be borne by the hate-filled, imperialistic oppressors in the United States.
"We have to get the message out to donors - a famine can be averted if they act quickly," Judith Lewis, WFP's regional director for southern and eastern Africa, told Reuters.
"So send money. By the boatload, truckload, or by train. Fill boxcars full of American greenbacks and send them to me, Judith Lewis, the woman who has accomplished exactly jack squat toward averting these famines. This time it will be different and we won't use the money or food to prop up bloodthirsty warlords or to manipulate local politics. Really, we won't. Thank you imperialist running pigdogs."
Until they see they can no longer escape from their weakness, corruption and ignorance - by begging for CONTINUED and fruitless bailouts -- they will make no attempt to become a viable and self sufficient society..
We and our government should stand back.....
Semper Fi
South Africas staple food supply disappeared while they were applauding Zimbabwes policy of killing white farmers and giving the farms to "soldiers" who had no clue as to farming.
Darwin award time.
This is not a disater of nature, this is man made. I have neen hearing the pleas of the starving in Africa since I was a child. With the billions of dollars that has been invested in that cess pool of a continent, you would think they would have learned how to feed themselves by now. I suggest they move to coastal areas and take up fishing.
Well I, for one, am ready to step forward and make a difference. If the governments over there will supply me with a pre-paid shipping mechanism (i.e., FedEx or equivalent), I'll be more than glad to send over any leftovers I don't want, or that are no longer appetizing. Really and truly. No need to thank me, just doing my part....
Call in during the next ten minutes and we will not only stop two famines but (for a slight shipping charge) we will send you your own two starving families recently employed on successful farms in Zimbabwe and currently ready to add a new dimension to your everyday, humdrum, life.
Teach you children the value of caring for others, let them see first hand the benefits of a simple life (made possible by your own charity and deep seated feeling of guilt).
Act today!
Or not....can't these idiots understand that we've been conned before and just maybe we are tired of the experience?
Such BS. They should start by teaching their people not to bite the hand that feeds them. I hope they learn their lessons the hard way......
No, no, no. Well, maybe. But only partially.
It's really because of AIDS:
The crisis has been made worse by the high rate of HIV and Aids in the region, which has weakened the local population's resistance to disease and left them more susceptible to famine.
And we all know that's our fault for not providing the world with a cure instead of spending money on stupid ol' defense systems and such.
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