§ 10. Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on famine in Africa north of the Limpopo. [62477]
§ Clare ShortThe causes of food shortages in Southern Africa this year are drought and misgovernment. In Zimbabwe, which accounts for over half of the region's food aid requirements, economic mismanagement and grossly misorganised land reform have massively exacerbated the effects of the drought.
The World Food Programme will next week launch a regional appeal for food for Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland. They estimate that four million tons of cereal imports will be needed. 2.8 million to be provided by private sector and government imports, and 1.2 million tons through food aid will be distributed free.
§ 13. Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much food aid her Department has earmarked for the World Food Programme to be distributed in southern Africa from the year beginning September 2002. [62480]
§ Clare ShortWe have allocated £18.75 million in response to the World Food Programme regional appeal for six countries in southern Africa for immediate food purchases. This is part of an overall allocation of £45 million through international organisations and NGOs for food and inputs for the next planting season. We will review our commitment as the relief programme proceeds.
§ 24. Mrs. Betty WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to tackle food shortages in southern Africa. [62492]
§ Clare ShortI refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Banbury on 17 June 2002,Official Report, columns 58–59W.
§ 29. Hugh RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on famine in southern Africa. [62497]
§ Clare ShortI refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Banbury on 17 June 2002,Official Report, columns 58–59W.