The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) on Wednesday appealed for R175-million to help 10,6 million people currently facing hunger in seven Southern African countries.
The countries are Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia, said Francoise le Goff, the IFRC’s head in Southern Africa.
Speaking at the launch of the World Disasters Report in Johannesburg, she said: ”I’m really hoping that this appeal will get a response.
”We are approaching large donors, especially government agencies, to try to support this initiative,” she told reporters.
The most-affected nations were Malawi and Zimbabwe. In Malawi, about 156 000 people will need food aid, while in Zimbabwe the figure stands at 148 000.
Of the 10,6-million people in need, the Red Cross will be able to help about 1,5-million, Le Goff said.
This group includes the most ”vulnerable of the vulnerable” — orphans and people living with HIV/Aids, Le Goff said.
Ideally, the food aid should be ready by this month as the magnitude of the crisis, caused largely by drought, will be serious in the six coming months, she added.
”We hope countries will help each other to address this question [of food aid]. After the six months, we don’t know what is going to happen.”
The World Disasters Report covers drought, famine, floods, earthquakes, storms and other natural disasters, with the December 26 2004 Asian tsunami accounting for most victims of the world’s disasters last year.
The tsunami claimed 225 000 lives alone, the report said.
South Africans contributed R30-million to help victims of the tsunami, ”thanks to the media for mobilising us”, Le Goff said. — Sapa