Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association (Johannesburg) - January 23, 2003
"While international aid has help to prevent famine in Lesotho over the past six months, food shortages continue to haunt the country already weakened by HIV/Aids," UN special envoy for humanitarian need in Southern Africa James Morris said.
Morris, who is also an executive director of the UN World Food Programme, is in Lesotho as part of a week-long tour of Southern Africa, which began on Wednesday.
He said the gravity of the two "monumental crises" converging across Southern Africa had prompted the addition of Stephen Lewis, a UN special envoy for HIV/Aids in Africa, to accompany him on his visit to the region.
Speaking after visiting one of the Lesotho's mountain districts, Morris said: "I have been moved by the struggle the people of this country, especially women, face everyday to survive and support their families.
"It is clear, especially with the likelihood of another poor harvest and the astronomical HIV/Aids level, that we have an enormous battle ahead in the fight against growing food insecurity and vulnerability in the country," he said.
Morris and his entourage were scheduled to visit Zimbabwe on Thursday night and before travelling to Malawi and Zambia./wj
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