UN appeals for millions of dollars in non-food items for southern Africa

Placing special emphasis on the urgent need for tens of millions of dollars in non-food items, the United Nations today launched in Johannesburg its mid-term review of the 2002-2003 Consolidated Appeal (CAP) for the humanitarian crisis in southern Africa.

"Not only does the UN need continued food donations over the next months, but to help get the region back onto its feet, we must see increased and immediate pledges for vital relief items such as water, sanitation and educational supplies, agricultural inputs and medicines," said Judith Lewis, Regional Coordinator for the UN Special Envoy for Humanitarian Needs in southern Africa.

The humanitarian crisis, catalyzed by a lethal combination of poor harvests, HIV/AIDS, chronic poverty, deteriorating economies and poor policy decisions, continues to plague growing numbers of people in the region.

In July last year, the UN system and key partners launched a regional appeal for $611 million - $507 million for food and $104 million for non-food items - to address the humanitarian needs of 12.8 million people in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland.

To date, the total response amounts to just under $350 million, of which more than $320 million has been for food. If urgent, multi-sectoral measures are not taken to start tackling the HIV/AIDS pandemic and its impact on societies, according to the UN, the region will not be able to recover from the current crisis in the short-term, let alone be able to develop in the long-term.