WFP calls for averting humanitarian crisis

The FAO has started countrywide seed distribution in the provinces of
Karuzi, Kirundo, Cankuzo and Bubanza. In a press release, it said the
distribution would be completed by the end of the month and if climatic
conditions were favourable, farmers were expected to harvest in May. "With
a good harvest, the present drastic malnutrition situation in Burundi
should be mitigated," FAO said.

WFP on Tuesday also expressed its continuing concern over the widespread
hunger and malnutrition affecting hundreds of thousands of people in
northern Burundi, brought on by drought and malaria. "While efforts are
underway to combat rising malnutrition rates caused by the malaria epidemic and poor harvests, the problem is spreading quickly and more must
be done to avoid a potential humanitarian crisis," WFP's Burundi director Mamadou Mbaye warned. "We most definitely will have to increase the flow of food aid to Burundi, and we will rely on major help from donors to do this."