Hunger in Africa

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Nearly US$2 billion in food aid will be required in 2006 to ward off widespread hunger and starvation.

East Africa

East Africa is reeling from a succession of failed rains. The World Food Program (WFP) warns that a humanitarian catastrophe could engulf the region. There are an estimated 6.25 million people at risk in the region that includes Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.

James Morris, the head of WFP, has warned specifically that the human death toll in Kenya could rise in the coming months if new donations are not forthcoming sufficient donations to head off a disaster.

While a donation from the Government of Kenya of 60,000 metric tons of maize and rice will cover the cereal requirements for March and April, WFP only has half the quantity of beans needed in Kenya for the month of March and no vegetable oil.

Pastoralists are barely surviving

In addition, stocks of highly nutritious corn-soya blend Â? used to boost the nutritional status of vulnerable children and pregnant and nursing women Â? are extremely low.

West Africa

After one of the toughest "hunger seasons" in living memory, according to the WFP, many people across West Africa are struggling to survive. Conflict, drought and a massive locust invasion, combined with record price levels for staple foods, have left millions battling to feed themselves and their families.

As of January 16, the WFP reported:

WFP has called on the international community to rally strongly behind its efforts to tackle hunger and poverty in West Africa, the poorest region of the world.

In 2006, WFP is aiming to feed at least ten million people in West Africa with over 300,000 metric tons of food at a cost of approximately US$237 million.

To date, only US$18.4 million has been confirmed or about eight percent of total requirements.

Southern Africa

Southern Africa is in an acute phase of a long-term emergency due to a deadly combination of HIV/AIDS, food insecurity and a weakened capacity for governments to deliver basic social services: the Triple Threat.

For example, James T. Morris (the UN Secretary-GeneralÂ?s Special Envoy for Humanitarian Needs in Southern Africa) reported last month from Malawi:

good rainfall could mean Malawi has a good harvest this year and as a result, for the first time in four years, could turn its full attention to medium-term and longer-term humanitarian projects rather than only focusing on immediate needs........

"Some of the challenges for the year ahead will be to reduce the high rates of acute malnutrition among children, tackle food insecurity issues, address water and sanitation problems, and help the many people who are living with HIV/AIDS, including nearly 500,000 orphans,"? he said.

Go to the Hunger Map of the World provided by the World Food Program.