MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Australia is providing $2.5 million through the World Food Programme (WFP)
for an emergency feeding program in central and southern Mozambique.
Up to 400,000 people out of a population of 17 million are vulnerable to food
shortages. Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world with a very
limited capacity to respond to major emergencies.
Southern Africa is experiencing a serious food shortage, the worst since a
severe drought in 1991-92. The crisis is primarily the result of drought and
floods depleting food supplies and pushing up prices. However, unwise disposal
of grain reserves, poor economic performance and land seizures in Zimbabwe have
made a bad situation grim.
Mozambique and Zimbabwe are two of the worst affected countries. Affected
areas in central and southern Mozambique have had no rain since January, and are
still recovering from severe flooding in 2000-01.
In March of this year the Prime Minister, the Hon John Howard MP, announced a
contribution of $2 million for WFP emergency operations in Zimbabwe.
Contact:
Craig Bildstien (Office of the Parliamentary Secretary) 02 6277 4840/ 0407
604 437
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0412 804 489