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NAMIBIA: Emergency appeal launched by UN agencies

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 11 March (PLUSNEWS) - Namibia's worsening HIV/AIDS pandemic, severe poverty and erratic weather have resulted in more than 600,000 women and children being in desperate need of food, two UN agencies have said.

The World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday launched an emergency appeal, noting that "tens of thousands of children and their families will face severe difficulties in the coming months, unless international assistance is forthcoming".

Research shows that the country's HIV/AIDS rate soared from just four percent in 1992 to 22 percent by 2002, with at least 120,000 children estimated to have lost one or both parents to AIDS-related illnesses.

WFP regional director for Southern Africa, Mike Sackett, said: "A swift response is needed to contain the crisis and give the government time to build up its capacity during this acute emergency."

[ENDS]

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