Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what analysis the Government has made of foodavailability in Zambia, in particular the availability of cassava; and whether the Government is supporting efforts to get suchfoods to areas affected by crop failures. [83546]Clare Short: DFID has been working with the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) and the World Food Programme (WFP) todetermine the availability of food for humanitarian distribution to those in most need.Through its annual crop forecasts, GRZ has reported a surplus of cassava in the north where cassava is a major staple food for mostcommunities. The redistribution of cassava to drought affected areas in the south is difficult for logistical, social and economicreasons. GRZ is using available funds to purchase surplus maize from the north rather than cassava, as this is the staple crop andpreferred food for the south.DFID has provided £8.5 million to the WFP to source food imports into Zambia and is working closely with GRZ and WFP to improve thedistribution of food stocks existing in the country.