Millions face hunger - SA

[dArKeR]

At least 15 million South Africans face food shortages after a severe drought said to be the worst in nearly a century.

Director for Disaster Intervention Toffee Mokgethi told the BBC the government would have to provide emergency food supplies by June.

Beeld reports that government is seriously considering extending its drought relief. Most of the R265m made available in December has already been used for supplying carted water, providing new boreholes and buying fodder for starving livestock.

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1469759,00.html


Worst drought hits third year - Africa

The worst drought in more than a decade is sweeping through southern Africa, destroying crops, driving up food prices and leaving millions hungry - even as foreign assistance dries up, governments and humanitarian agencies say.

Last week saw the first significant downpours since April - but the rain came too late to save the summer harvest, and forecasters predict more dry weather ahead. Aid workers expect near total crop failure in the tiny mountain kingdom of Lesotho, along with massive losses in Swaziland, southern Mozambique and parts of Zimbabwe.

http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_1475267,00.html