CARITAS Australia has warned that more than 13 million people now face starvation in southern Africa.
The food crisis is the result of a combination of factors: natural, social, agricultural, political and economic.
Excessive rains have been followed by severe drought during the last two seasons and drought is predicted to blight a third season.
These factors have been worsened by cutbacks in agricultural investment, lack of even a minimal food reserve and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Caritas Australia’s Africa co-ordinator Wendy Ngoma has called for continued assistance for the region.
‘The situation is going to worsen in coming months,’ she said on July 5. ‘Food supplies are expected to run out by August.
‘Without a further response by the international community there will be a crisis.’
Caritas Australia national director Jack de Groot has appealed urgently to all Australians to contribute now.
