Additional NOK 20 million to the drought-stricken population in southern Africa

Minister of International Development Hilde F. Johnson has decided to allocate an additional NOK 20 million to efforts to help those affected by the drought in southern Africa. Since January 2002 Norway has contributed NOK 275 million to alleviate the drought in Africa (the Horn of Africa and southern Africa).

"The new allocation will be used to continue food programmes being carried out by UNICEF, Save the Children and Norwegian People’s Aid. This includes support to the school meals programme, which also helps to keep children at school," said the Minister.

The food situation in southern Africa is better now than it was this time last year, but the situation in Zimbabwe is still critical. More than half of the 6.5 people who are still dependent on food aid for survival are in Zimbabwe. Parts of Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland and Zambia are also experiencing food shortages. Moreover, the HIV/AIDS epidemic in southern Africa is reducing people’s ability to produce food and is thus intensifying the food crisis.

Press contact: Head of Information Espen Gullikstad, mobile phone: 917 08 122