MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Australia will provide another $6.5 million for food aid to Southern Africa.
The funds will go to the World Food Program (WFP) regional appeal, the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Chris Gallus, announced today.
Today's funding is in addition to the $5 million announced last week by Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.
The WFP appeal targets 10.2 million people in Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland and Tanzania.
Mrs Gallus said the Federal Government had acted quickly and generously to help alleviate the devastating food shortages in Southern Africa.
'Australia has now committed $26 million to assist Southern Africa recover from the grip of drought,' she said.
'Over the next three years, Australia will also provide $10 million for projects by Australian non-government organisations to improve longer-term food security in southern and eastern Africa.
'Southern Africa continues to face a very serious food shortage, affecting as many as 13 million people.
'The problem has been brought about by drought, floods, the depletion of grain reserves, a sharp rise in the price of staple foods, poor governance and corruption.'
Mrs Gallus said prospects for recovery in the short term were grim. There was also much work required to establish longer-term food security.
'While donor support is critical in an effort to avert current food shortages, improved governance and public administration in a number of countries are essential if longer-term food security is to be achieved,' she said.
'This is a major issue for international donor dialogue with governments of the region.'
Contacts:
Craig Bildstien (Parliamentary Secretary's Office) 0407 604 437
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0412 804 489