The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the Norwegian Red Cross are cooperating with the UN to help the starving in southern Africa. Norwegian support consists of an allocation of NOK 19 million from the Foreign Ministry, 200 vehicles from the defence establishment and extensive voluntary assistance in Norway and abroad by the Red Cross.

"Southern Africa is facing an extremely serious food crisis," said Minister of International Development Hilde F. Johnson. "About 12 million people are likely to be affected by the drought and failed crops. The crisis is being made more acute by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. There is no question but that since we are in a position to help, we must do so. It is important to act at once so that we can limit the disaster that is already looming. I have therefore allocated NOK 19 million to a cooperation project between the Red Cross and the World Food Programme," said the Minister.

The head of the International Department of the Norwegian Red Cross, Halvor Fossum Lauritzsen, said that the Norwegian Red Cross, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the World Food Programme are working on a comprehensive relief operation. Over a period of nine months the Red Cross will deliver at least 250 000 tons of food to those in need. For this robust vehicles are needed to distribute food in areas that are difficult of access.

The Defence Ministry has therefore decided to donate 200 all-terrain vehicles. These vehicles, with spare parts, are being supplied free of charge by the defence establishment. "I am very pleased that equipment that the armed forces no longer need can be used in a good cause", said Political Adviser Bård Glad Pedersen of the Defence Ministry. He commended the defence establishment for making the vehicles fit for use so quickly.

Norway has recently allocated NOK 3 million in direct support to the World Food Programme and NOK 11 million to Norwegian actors working in southern Africa.

For further information, please contact:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Susan Eckey, acting head of information

Mobile: 91 11 59 93

Ministry of Defence

Monica Dahlberg, acting press spokeswoman

Mobile: 91 63 27 68

Norwegian Red Cross

Halvor Fossum Lauritzsen, head of the International Department

Mobile: 90 54 47 97