US gives massive grant to agencies for southern Africa hunger

The United States government has promised World Vision and two other humanitarian organisations one of the biggest emergency aid grants in history, to address the needs of millions starving in southern Africa

The $NZ200 million grant to World Vision, CARE, and Catholic Relief Services will fund emergency food distributions, agricultural support and training in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe - the three countries hardest hit by the food crisis. Two million people per week will receive assistance.

The grant – a combination of food and financial aid – comes in the wake of a United Nations and World Health Organisation report citing AIDS as a key factor in the growing food crisis in southern Africa.

World Vision vice-president Bruce Wilkinson says food distributions will offer a focal point for educating people about AIDS.

“Unless this desperate food shortage and the spread of the AIDS virus are addressed together, the aid will likely be insufficient,” he said.

In addition to meeting immediate needs the consortium of aid agencies, led by World Vision, plan to strengthen the ability of communities to withstand future food shortages, improve access to health services and clean water

14 million people in seven countries are affected by severe food shortages in southern Africa – a consequence of bad weather, poor economic performance and AIDS.