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...