April 2, 2002 -- According to initial estimates of the upcoming April/May harvest, southern Africa will experience yet another year of low maize (corn)
production and economic hardship, made worse by a vicious dry spell which has swept through the region and withered crops. Coming on
the
heels of a similarly poor 2000/2001 production year, the effect of this year’s poor harvest could be devastating, according to the United
Nations World Food Program (WFP).

The WFP has warned that countries across southern Africa will face a significant rise in food aid needs in the months ahead, which will
compound critical food aid shortfalls for 2.6 million people already suffering from food shortages.

“If we can’t get enough food to feed 2.6 million people right now, what will happen when
potentially millions more need our help in the months ahead,” says Judith Lewis, WFP regional director for East and Southern Africa.
“Much more must be swiftly done to stave off the spread of hunger and malnutrition.”