[pronut-hiv] SOUTHERN AFRICA: Acute malnutrition rates rise as food crisis deepens

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SOUTHERN AFRICA: Acute malnutrition rates rise as food crisis deepens
JOHANNESBURG, 27 Dec 2005 (IRIN) - The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has
warned that it lacks adequate funding to deliver food aid to the most
vulnerable people in Southern Africa.

Aid agencies estimate that some 12 million people are food insecure in
the region, which has suffered widespread crop failures due to erratic
weather. The impact of HIV/AIDS, deepening poverty and the weakened
capacity of governments to care for people in need have exacerbated the
current crisis.

"WFP needs US $77 million immediately to keep providing food aid in
Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe - the countries hit hardest by
the region's food crisis - until June 2006, when the next harvest is
due," the agency said in a statement.

Lesotho and Swaziland will also receive food aid over the same period,
WFP added. The agency aimed to reach nine million food insecure people
in the region.

As the hunger crisis deepens, the UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that malnutrition rates have
continued to rise.

In Zambia's food-insecure districts, acute malnutrition was at nearly
eight percent, as compared to the five percent average recorded during
the national 2001/2002 Demographic Health Survey and 2002/2003 NGO
surveys, OCHA noted.

In Madagascar, acute malnutrition rates doubled since 1997, reaching 14
percent countrywide. In Malawi, admissions of severely malnourished
children to nutritional rehabilitation units in October rose four
percent as compared to last year. 

OCHA added that in drought-affected areas of Mozambique, acute
malnutrition was at five percent and, in Zimbabwe, vulnerable districts
had recorded rates of nine percent.

"The people who suffer the most when there are food shortages are the
children, the sick and the elderly," Mike Sackett, WFP Regional Director
for Southern Africa, was quoted as saying. "With so many young children
having to fend for themselves and their siblings, there are valid fears
for their long-term development and even their survival."

Sackett warned that the traditional lean season, from January to March,
would be tougher in 2006 than in previous years, "as most people
affected by drought have already sold off every asset they had to buy
food".

"Maize prices are also extremely high in the affected countries, making
it even harder for people with little money," he added.

WFP's three-year food relief project, from January 2005 to December
2007, required a total of $621 million. The current shortfall of $299
million included the $77 million needed for January to April 2006.