1、1 Sources of information about the extent and causes of the food crisis in southern Africa areU.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and U.N. World Food Program (WFP), Crop andFood Supply Assessment Mission (CFSAM) Reports, April-May 2002; and from WFP, SouthernAfrica Crisis Response, July 200
2、2. The Southern Africa Development Communitys Food,(continued.)Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21301Updated December 6, 2002The Food Crisis in Southern Africa:Background and IssuesCharles E. HanrahanSenior Speciali
3、st in Agricultural PolicyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummarySix Southern Africa countries Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique,Lesotho, and Swaziland are facing severe food shortages. An estimated 14.4 millionpeople in the region (up from an earlier estimated 12.8 million) will need abo
4、ut 1million metric tons of food aid to meet minimum consumption requirements before thenext harvest in April 2003. Observers list several causes of the current food crisis:drought, floods, disruptions of commercial farming, depletion of strategic grain reserves,and poor economic performance. The Uni
