Southern Africa (Hansard, 19 June 2002)

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the estimated amount of food aid required by the World Food Programme for the famine in Southern Africa is; and how much has been distributed. [62373]

§ Clare Short
The World Food Programme and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation estimate that 1.36 million tonnes of food will be required as humanitarian aid for six countries in Southern Africa identified as facing severe food shortages. Existing appeals have enabled WFP to purchase 120,000 of food and to begin distribution in the three countries worst affected.
This estimate does not include Angola which is being dealt with through a separate UN programme.

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of the World Food Programme's appeal for the famine in Southern Africa has been met; and how much the total UK contribution has been. [62375]

§ Clare Short
The World Food Programme's regional appeal for Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland in respect of the 2002–03 harvest year is expected this week.
387W

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her assessment of the current food crisis in Southern Africa is, with particular reference to(a) the number of people at risk of famine and (b) the prospects of adequate harvests later in the year. [62374]

§ Clare Short
The Southern African countries identified by the World Food Programme as needing special assistance following reductions in agricultural production are Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland. The number of people in these countries requiring emergency food supplies is expected to grow by March 2003 to 12.8 million. Winter crops now in the ground will meet only a small proportion of the food shortfall. Planting of the main maize crop begins in November with the onset of the rains. Prospects for the 2003 crop will largely depend on the amount and distribution of this rain, and on agricultural and economic policy in Zimbabwe where much of this year's shortfall has occurred.