WFP highlights theft, hunger-related deaths

The World Food Programme (WFP) has highlighted the emergence of two alarming trends amid the Southern Africa humanitarian crisis - the theft of relief food stocks and the rise in hunger-related deaths. In its latest emergency report on the situation in the region, WFP said: "There have been several reports of theft of WFP food commodities in the region with incidents reported from Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe over the past two weeks. Further, there has been an alarming increase in reported deaths and sickness caused by consumption of poisonous tubers and wild fruits in the region." IRIN reported last week that authorities had confirmed nine hunger-related deaths in the isolated north-western Magoe district of Mozambique. The nine had resorted to eating wild fruits to stave off hunger. In Zimbabwe, "field reports reflect an alarming situation in vulnerable communities. Cases of deaths, theft, children fainting in school, and adults collapsing are on the rise. There has been no improvement in the general fuel supply situation - with what arrives in-country being exhausted within a few days. The fertiliser shortage is expected to continue, as the shortage of foreign currency impedes ability to import inputs," WFP warned. Meanwhile, the regional Emergency Operation (EMOP) was "now more than 65 percent funded against requirements through March 2003 with a shortfall of approximately USD 177 million", this followed donations last week of about US $137,000. The agency also warned that the situation in Madagascar may worsen. "Drought in the south is worsening, now spreading outside the original 13 southern communes. Prices of food staples (rice) are rising. Coping mechanisms of the population are being stressed to the maximum. Substitute food such as algae (Ambovombe) is becoming scarce," WFP said. Malnutrition levels in the capital Antananarivo were reported at around 45 percent at the end of last year, using the weight for age indicator. "Delays in resourcing and food commodity availability have made it difficult to implement [the Madagascar] EMOP ... beyond borrowings from in-country development activity stocks ... With no food shipment expected to arrive soon, WFP's pipeline situation ... is critical. Urgent donor support is required," the agency noted. In Malawi, food aid distribution was delayed due to flood damage to roads by Cyclone Delfina. "WFP, NGOs and District Commissioners are undertaking assessments of flood damage caused by tropical depression Delfina. Preliminary findings show that 57,000 households have been affected, including 3,600 houses washed away and 23,500 hectares of crops damaged. WFP and NGOs are organising emergency relief food distributions for those affected," WFP said. In Mozambique, also hit by Cyclone Delfina, WFP was assisting with relief operations in flood affected areas, along with its normal operations in the country. Meanwhile, in Swaziland "rainfall has been erratic and poorly distributed in the Lowveld" while the Mkhweli and Kashoba areas had been affected by a three-week dry spell. "Crops in Mandlangempisi Inkundla are reported to be wilting due to lack of rains," WFP added. In Lesotho there was some good news as "overall rainfall during January had enhanced the development and growth of the summer crops. Crops that were damaged by the hailstorms during previous weeks appear to be recovering," the agency noted. In Zambia, apart from its regular operations, WFP began food distributions at the Fountain of Hope drop-in centre for street children in Lusaka under an urban intervention programme last week.