THE International Red Cross is to launch an international call for food aid for southern Africa next week.
The ‘Southern Africa Food Insecurity Appeal’ is aimed at providing help such as agricultural starter packs, maize, seed and fertiliser to Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In Namibia, says Razia Essack-Kauaria, Secretary General of the Namibia Red Cross Society, the main target is the Caprivi, which is most at risk due to drought and a high HIV prevalence rate.Aid will also be extended to San communities in the Kavango and Otjozondjupa Regions.Reasons for Namibia’s problems include late rains in 2004 and a consequent poor harvest.Still, Essack-Kauaria points out that Namibia is by far not the worst affected country in the SADC region.Although the appeal will only be launched next week, it already appears on the website of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.The World Food Programme has launched a similar request for food aid for southern Africa.In Namibia, says Razia Essack-Kauaria, Secretary General of the Namibia Red Cross Society, the main target is the Caprivi, which is most at risk due to drought and a high HIV prevalence rate.Aid will also be extended to San communities in the Kavango and Otjozondjupa Regions.Reasons for Namibia’s problems include late rains in 2004 and a consequent poor harvest.Still, Essack-Kauaria points out that Namibia is by far not the worst affected country in the SADC region.Although the appeal will only be launched next week, it already appears on the website of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.The World Food Programme has launched a similar request for food aid for southern Africa.
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