Mbabane, Swaziland - FAO has distributed over 1 000 tonnes of seeds, as well as fertilizer and tools, to more than 110 000 poor farmers in three southern African countries through a system of mobile trade fairs.

The agricultural inputs distributed in Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland total US$ 7 million and are enough to plant an estimated 50 000 hectares of crops.

"This is a significant contribution towards ensuring a successful upcoming harvest for tens of thousands of

"It is not far-fetched to begin to see growing tensions; not far fetched to think climate change will globally have a destabilising effect," said Achim Steiner, Executive Secretary of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), who drew a scenario in which countries heavily affected by climate change would blame those not seen as doing enough to cut emissions.

On 10 December the price of a loaf of bread will jump by 10 US cents, and by the end of the year a loaf may cost US$1 in a country where over 60 percent of people live on less than US$1 a day, according to the UN Development Programme.

"Bread used to be called the white or rich person's maize, and maize was the Swazi's or poor person's bread,

Drought is not new to Swaziland. Many parts of the country frequently receive far too little rain. But this year has been different. On the back of poor harvests in 2006, the rains throughout the country failed again this year.

This year's maize production is the lowest annual harvest on record and 60 per cent below last year's.

With food still available in the markets, but now too expensive for most poor households, we're providing cash transfers

"This is a significant contribution toward ensuring a successful upcoming harvest for tens of thousands of families," said Anne Bauer, Director of FAO's Emergency Operations and Rehabilitation Division. "The more we can support quality farm

This report covers the period from 10/31/2007 to 11/29/2007

Current reports indicate a general tightening of food supplies throughout the region as the hunger season sets in. However, food security conditions continue to be mixed; with the situation remaining generally stable in surplus producing countries; while conditions will deteriorate further in deficit countries as the hunger period intensifies between now and February.

"These contributions are especially welcome because they will help people who are not in the headlines," said Monika Midel, Director of WFP Berlin office. "Germany's continued strong support for our relief and development operations means that we can provide food assistance to those people who are the most vulnerable and in need."