HIGHLIGHTS

Namibia:

On 17 May 2013 the President on Namibia declared a national drought emergency and called for assistance from the international community. An estimated 330,925 people have now been classified as food insecure (14 % of Namibia’s total population of 2.324 million).

Madagascar:

Ondjiva – At least 300 tonnes of several goods, among foodstuff and medicines, were distributed by the Angolan government, through the Ministry of Assistance and Social Reintegration and National Civil Protection Services, aimed to assist the population affected by the drought in the southern Cunene province.

This was said to Angop on Saturday in Ondjiva city by the provincial governor, António Didalelwa, during the distribution act of 181 tones of several products.

1) Poorly distributed and significantly below average seasonal rainfall has resulted in deteriorating ground conditions since January. This has negatively impacted crops and livestock throughout many parts of southern Angola and northern Namibia.

2) Little to no rainfall since the second dekad of March has been received across portions of eastern Angola, and western Zambia. Late season moisture deficits indicate an early departure of the southern Africa monsoon in the region and may affect crops planted late in the season.

By Luca Solimeo

A new report by UNICEF to be issued on 15 April reveals the high prevalence of stunting in children under 5, but also outlines the tremendous opportunities that exist to make it a problem of the past.

CAALA, Angola, 10 April 2013 – When Eunice brought 1-year-old Marilia to the therapeutic feeding centre in Caala, Huambo Province, the baby was in critical condition. She had swollen legs and hands and was refusing all food, including breast milk.

Menongue - Rain shortage in Kuito Kuanavale, south-western Kuando Kubango Province, over the last days may hinder harvest in the region, said the local head of the agriculture department, Fernando Tchipengo.

According to the source, this situation may put at risk the harvest of maize and other cereals, although the peasants have received tools for the foment of agricultural production.

The peasants also received seeds of maize, beans, cereals, as well as fertilizers, under the programme of fight against hunger and poverty.

FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT

• Favourable rains recorded at the start of the 2012/13 cropping season in the large cereal producing regions

• Agricultural output declines sharply in 2012, following a prolonged dry spell

• Poor food security conditions persist in the affected areas

Malanje - Family poultry farming projects being implemented on Pedras Negras, Pungo a Ndongo and other farms situated in the localities of Kizenga (municipality of Cacuso), northern Malanje province, will help reduce the import of foodstuffs and services in the country.

This was said Friday in Malanje by the minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pedro Canga, as part of a visit he paid to the construction, planning and implementation of the said agro-farming projects.

Chicomba – At least 4,430 families of Chicomba municipality, southern Huíla province, affected by draught received a food aid on Friday from the provincial Department of Social Welfare, as part of the Government programme of fight against hunger and poverty.

The information was released by Chicomba administrator, Lúcia Francisca, who explained that the people received rice, beans, canned food and cooking oil.

The official said that the food is distributed to prioritise the neediest.

M'banza Kongo - At least two hundred and sixty tons of food stuff were handed over to the drought victim families in coastal region of the northern Zaire province.

The fact was revealed Friday at the headquarters of Tomboco district by the acting provincial director of Social Welfare Ministry, Manuel Antonio.

According to him, the most affected by the drought was the Kinzau zone, Tomboco district.

On occasion, the provincial governor of Zaire, José Joanes André, who paid his first official visit to Tomboco made symbolic delivery of food to the victims.