[pronut-hiv] HIV/AIDS Fueling Food Shortages in Southern Africa

["ProNut-HIV" <pronut-hiv@healthnet.org>]

Global Challenges | HIV/AIDS Fueling Food Shortages in Southern Africa
Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 6/29/06.
 
      The spread of HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa is undermining an
improved harvest this year, which further fuels food shortages in the
region, where about three million people need food aid, the World Food
Program announced on Wednesday, Reuters South Africa reports (Reuters
South Africa, 6/28). According to WFP, nine of the 10 countries with the
highest "burdens" of HIV/AIDS are in Southern Africa, and many people
living with the disease are too ill to harvest or work. Families
affected by HIV/AIDS usually spend their money on treatment or funerals
and often cannot afford, according to WFP (WFP release, 6/28). WFP
Director James Morris said although improved rainfall and increased
availability of seeds and fertilizer have increased harvests in the
region this year, the HIV/AIDS epidemic undercuts those achievements.
"[A]s long as HIV/AIDS remains at such epic proportions throughout
Southern Africa, a large number of people will face severe hardship
unless international assistance is provided," Morris said (Reuters South
Africa, 6/28). He also said, "Food and good nutrition are crucial in
battling against HIV/AIDS, but it is very tough to convince the
international community of the complexity and depth of the pandemic in
this region" (WFP release, 6/28).