§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on food security levels in Mauritania. [84643]
§ Clare ShortMauritania is a low-income food deficit country which is vulnerable to drought and desertification. Late and erratic rainfall in southern regions this year has aggravated an already poor food situation in the country. The World Food Programme (WFP) has estimated that there are 750,000 people affected by food shortages. We are monitoring the situation closely and have provided assistance through our contributions to WFP and are considering our response to their latest emergency appeal.
§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the level of malnutrition among children in Mauritania. [84980]
§ Clare ShortWe have no figures for children affected by malnutrition in Mauritania as a whole. However, Oxfam report that a nutritional assessment carried out in September 2002 in the Aftout region by UNICEF, World Food Programme (WFP) and international NGOs concluded that 56 per cent, of the children were suffering from malnutrition. The WFP estimates that 750,000 people are affected by food shortages. We have provided assistance through our contributions to WFP and are considering our response to their latest appeal.