AIDS adding to food insecurity - WFP

The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking US $212 million for Southern Africa, where HIV/AIDS is hampering agricultural production and economic development. Large numbers of farmers have been dying from AIDS-related illnesses, placing a financial strain on many families in the region. Aid workers have predicted that without speedy donations of food and money the situation will worsen by early 2006. WFP Executive Director James Morris said in a statement, "We always raise the alarm in plenty of time, but it's rare to receive enough food to cover critical food needs at the right time. Timely contributions ... go a long way to helping hungry people before they become starving people." Although the US recently pledged $52 million towards WFP's work in the region, agency officials said other donors have been slow to act.