The Food Crisis in Southern Africa: Background and Issues

Publication Date: December 2002

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: International relations

Type:

Abstract:

Six Southern Africa countries ­ Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho, and Swaziland ­ are facing severe food shortages. An estimated 14.4 million people in the region (up from an earlier estimated 12.8 million) will need about 1 million metric tons of food aid to meet minimum consumption requirements before the next harvest in April 2003. Observers list several causes of the current food crisis: drought, floods, disruptions of commercial farming, depletion of strategic grain reserves, and poor economic performance. The United States and other donors have responded, mainly via the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), with commodity donations and other forms of assistance. U.S. donations account for almost half of the total international donor response. How donors will meet the remaining food need may be examined during the 108th Congress. This report will be updated as new information becomes available.