Southern Africa - Complex Food Security Crisis
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Regional Team: SWAN
Southern, West and Northern Africa
Disaster Declared:
Brief Description: In FY 2004, a number of countries in southern Africa experienced food insecurity due to adverse climatic conditions during three consecutive growing seasons. The HIV/AIDS epidemic, a poor economic environment, and restrictive government policies that limited private sector commerce exacerbated this food insecurity. During the 2001/2002 agricultural season, unusually dry conditions extended across much of the region, from southern Zambia eastward to southern Mozambique, resulting in crop failures and limited production in many areas. The response of the United Nations (U.N.), the U.S. Government (USG), relief agencies, and international donors during 2002 and 2003 reduced the impact of severe food shortages and prevented further deterioration of vulnerable communities. Malawi, Zambia, and parts of Mozambique experienced improvements in cereal production during the 2002/2003 agricultural season. Continued drought and a poor 2002/2003 agricultural season in Swaziland, Lesotho, southern Mozambique, and southern Madagascar resulted in increasing numbers of people requiring emergency food assistance. During the 2003/2004 agricultural season, Namibia experienced both drought and flood conditions. In FY 2004, northern and western areas of Madagascar were impacted by two cyclones, while southern Madagascar experienced a third consecutive year of drought. Zimbabwe continues to face a serious humanitarian crisis, with more than half the population at risk of food insecurity.
FY2004
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