AUSAID food security programme

Australia will provide AUS $10 million (US $5.5 million) for projects to improve food security in Southern Africa, the government's aid arm, AUSAID, said in a statement. "The projects will be carried out through Australian non-government organisations (NGOs) over the next three years. This was in addition to the AUS $2.5 million (just under US $2 million) announced earlier this month for an emergency feeding programme in central and southern Mozambique and AUS $2 million (US $1.1 million) announced in March for emergency drought assistance in Zimbabwe," the statement said. Southern Africa is currently facing a severe food shortage, affecting about 13 million people. NGOs to receive the latest funding include World Vision, Adventist Development Relief Agency, Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific, Care Australia, Plan and Austcare. "These organisations will work with local partners on activities to provide long-term food security, such as diversifying crops, improving crop storage, facilities and techniques, raising community awareness about nutrition and improving market opportunities," the organisation said. The countries set to benefit include Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.