MALAWI: Maize harvest ravaged by AIDS and drought

A deadly combination of HIV/AIDS and drought in Malawi is threatening to create new food shortages in coming months.

Over two million tonnes of maize are required for domestic consumption but the latest official forecasts show that only 1.6 million tonnes will be produced in the 2003/04 growing season.

Chief Namonde, a village headman, recently told Reuters that most households probably only had enough food for the next month or two.

Namonde said: "The problem here is that there are lots of orphans whose parents have died from AIDS. Elderly people care for these children and it is difficult for them to cultivate."

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Children,

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