AMERICA - Critical food shortage in five Latin American countries

Rome (Fides) - The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation FAO has denounced critical food shortages in Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti, Bolivia and Ecuador and that a total 38 countries are in the same situation.
In Central America and the Caribbean it is estimated that the volume of cereal will be higher by one million tonnes than in the last five years, thanks to a stabilising of production in Honduras and Nicaragua. Nevertheless the coffee crisis in the area continues to threaten food security in many sectors of the population. In Haiti increased crime and civilian revolts prevent the distribution of emergency food aid, while in the Andes mountain countries prolonged drought has dried up land sown with cereal seeds. At the same time heavy rains registered in parts of Bolivia and Colombia damaged buildings and infrastructures.
The report, issued at the end of February, says other nations besides the five Latin American countries are affected by food emergency: 24 in Africa, 7 in Asia and 2 in Europe. In many of these countries the AIDS pandemic aggravates difficulties with production, selling and transport of food supplies. (AP) (3/3/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:19; Parole:220)