September 4, 2002 -- Malawian Agriculture Minister Aleke Banda the Panafrican News Agency
that his country would mill all genetically modified corn aid shipped to
it by the United
States to prevent any of it being planted as seed. The ministry said it
had not milled the 20,000 metric tons of genetically modified corn
already received but would do so with the over 53,000 metric tons
expected in further U.S. aid.

The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved
about US $23 million in emergency credit to Malawi, which will support
imports of food to prevent large shortages expected later this year.

Malawi experienced a severe food crisis in early 2002, causing immense
human suffering. The food shortages resulted in widespread malnutrition
and starvation, particularly for those infected with HIV/AIDS. Many
households still have not recovered, and, with another bad harvest this
year, decisive action is required.

"Malawi is facing a serious food shortage, " says Horst Köhler, IMF
managing director, who, with World Bank President James Wolfensohn, has
called on donor countries to step forward to support Malawi and other
nations in southern Africa currently facing severe famine. "Our
emergency assistance is a step toward helping the nation deal with its
current food needs."

Malawi's food shortage is expected to be addressed through a combination
of humanitarian aid of about 210,000 metric tons of grain, which will be
distributed to about 30 percent of Malawi's population, or about 3.2
million people, and maize imports by the government of up to 350,000
metric tons.