FOOD CRISIS IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA

Motion Text

That this House expresses great concern about the deepening food shortages facing countries in Eastern and Southern Africa; highlights in particular Ethiopia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe where the recent shortfalls in rainfall have meant that the provision of adequate food aid is not imperative; notes that the failure of crops in recent years has put up to 15 million people in Ethiopia in danger of starvation; further notes that the vulnerability of food supplies in Zimbabwe has left over half the population facing starvation; notes that significant numbers of people in Tanzania face starvation, with the Singida region badly affected; further notes that water aid is necessary if long-term crops and cattle shortages are to be averted; and calls upon the Government to act swiftly in the provision of food and water aid to avert widespread starvation in Eastern and Southern Africa.