Current Situation:

The food crisis in Africa continues-up to 34 million people face the very real risk of death by starvation. The severity of the situation is only intensified by the HIV/AIDS pandemic that grips many parts of the continent. The Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) reports that in Zimbabwe alone a 907,000 Metric Ton (MT) cereal gap remains. The government is doing all they can to import sufficient food, but there are concerns that due to foreign currency and other constraints they may not be able to import enough. Even if all currently promised food aid arrives, Zimbabwe could still face a shortfall of 163,000 MT.

There is cause to believe that the situation will continue through the current planting season. In Zambia, predictions based on El Nino data are for continued low rainfall during the months of February and March. This is a critical time in the planting cycle because this is when the crops require rain to mature. The rains that do come may come too late for crops to sufficiently mature before winter.

Catholic Relief Services Responds:

CRS continues to play a leadership role in securing resources to address the food crisis in Africa. In December, CRS hosted executives of American humanitarian relief organizations, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and the U.S. Agency for International Development at our world headquarters in Baltimore to issue "The Baltimore Declaration: Africa in Crisis," a unified pledge to act in an effort to prevent famine. The Declaration also appealed to "governments, citizens' groups, private voluntary organizations, religious institutions and individual citizens to recognize the enormity of the crisis confronting Africa and to join in a massive and urgent response." [Read the full text of the declaration at http://www.catholicrelief.org/newsroom/media_event_0212.cfm]. Over the holidays, the Food Aid Coalition (of which CRS is a member) and agricultural groups joined as the Food Security Alliance to send letters to President Bush and Congressional leaders. The Alliance petitioned for $1.2 billion in Title II food aid in FY 2003 and supplemental funding of $600 to 800 million to meet the growing food assistance needs in Africa. Dioceses played a critical role in alerting the administration of the importance of this crisis by sending over 1,000 post cards to President Bush via the CRS web site.

Southern Africa:
CRS has been very active in Zimbabwe, distributing food to over 3,200 beneficiaries in the Zumbara village in Makonde District. CRS has also been involved with several Seed Fairs and is working to ensure that future Seed Fairs include appropriate varieties of seeds for the advanced season.

In Malawi, CRS has distributed 863 MT of food to over 12,000 beneficiaries and has held 38 seed fairs in all seven dioceses. Over 30,000 small farmers have been able to purchase seeds for maize, groundnuts, cowpeas, and millet. These fairs will provide the farmers with seeds to plant this season and help them to diversify their crops. CRS has also targeted an additional 9,006 beneficiary households in Kasungu District and 2,906 beneficiaries in Zomba District for food assistance. Over 61,000 households are expected to benefit from food assistance during the month of January.

East Africa:
CRS has been negotiating to borrow food supplies from the Ethiopian Food Security Research Authority and from World Food Program to be repaid by shipments in 2003. CRS will be working to distribute these food supplies during January and February.

Action Needed:

• Bishop Wilton Gregory, president of the USCCB, sent a letter to all ordinaries on Friday, January 10, 2003, in which he called on his fellow bishops to respond to the crisis in Africa and to support the efforts of CRS. Contact your bishop to discuss ways to involve parishes and other institutions in your dioceses in the response to this crisis. In his letter, Bishop Gregory recommended taking up voluntary collections in support of the crisis in Africa during the months of January and February. To obtain a copy of the letter, please contact Laurie Latuda at 410.951.7346 or Michelle Harrington at 410.951.7391.


• Continue to pray for the people of Africa and for those around the world who suffer from malnutrition, disease and natural disasters.


• CRS is working to develop new materials including bulletin inserts, prayer services and a sample bishop's letter to parishes. These materials should be available on the DD resource page at www.catholicrelief.org/ddinfo in early February.


• This is a vast emergency that is getting little media attention. Consult your diocesan media outlets (newspaper, radio, television) to strategize ways through which you can highlight the situation and raise the awareness with people in your diocese. Encourage your media outlets to contact our communications office at CRS for up-to-date information and to obtain stories direct from the field.


• CRS is accepting monetary contributions to assist with the emergency relief and development activities in Southern and East Africa. Should people in your diocese wish to make a donation, please ensure the checks are clearly marked ("Southern Africa Crisis" or "East Africa Emergency") and send contributions to CRS. Contributions collected at the diocesan level can be sent to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17220, Baltimore, MD 21298-9663. Parishes and individuals can send contributions directly to CRS at Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090.