While the world community responds again to another critical emergency, this time in Pakistan
and surrounding areas, let us also respond again to the critical food emergency in Africa.
NEXT SUNDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2005, IS WORLD FOOD DAY
Australians are invited to share some of their abundant resources with the people of Ethiopia,
Zambia and Zimbabwe.
International relief and development agencies of Australian Churches are working together to
promote an emergency appeal for people devastated by drought, HIV/AIDS and internal conflict
in Africa.
AngliCORD, NCCA Christian World Service, Churches of Christ Overseas Aid (COCOA) and
Uniting Church Overseas Aid (UCOA) have launched an appeal to support those affected in Sub-
Saharan Africa.
Millions of people in Africa don’t have the luxury of two or three meals a day from any source –
nor easy access as we do to good food resources in supermarkets, fast food outlets and restaurants.
As this year is the 25th anniversary of World Food Day people are encouraged to consider giving
$25 to the appeal or to give the cost of a meal from a supermarket, from a fast food outlet or from
a restaurant to people affected by the food and crises in Africa.
Food shortages are at critical levels in an increasing number of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In recent days the media spotlight has been on the looming food crisis in Malawi, where five
million people are now expected to need food aid over the next six months.
While the focus of the latest joint appeal is on Zimbabwe, Zambia and Ethiopia, each agency is
able to direct support in response to emergencies across the continent through the ACT
International alliance and local partner churches.
To make a tax deductible donation:
NCCA Christian World Service: 1800 025 101 or http://www.actforpeace.org.au
AngliCORD: 1800 249 800 or www.anglicord.org.au
Uniting Church Overseas Aid: 1800 998 122 or www.overseasaid.org
Churches of Christ Overseas Aid: 08 8212 4446 or www.omb.org.au
Details of the appeal are available on each of the agencies' websites.

BACKGROUND:
Food shortages and humanitarian problems in Zimbabwe have been greatly exacerbated by the
implementation of Operation Murambatsvina. The UN estimates that 700,000 Zimbabweans
(including 225,000 children) were left homeless and destitute following this recent operation by
the government.
In Ethiopia 8-10 million people are at risk of malnutrition. This is the fifth major drought in
Ethiopia in just two decades. In addition, a late start to the government's program to provide
multi-year support to more than 5 million chronically food-insecure people and inadequate
resources to provide food and non-food assistance to 3.8 million people have combined to create
an alarming situation.
Zambian maize production is below previous levels because of prolonged dry spells, especially in
the major producing areas in the south, central and parts of the eastern provinces. Almost 50% of
Zambia's population is undernourished.