Over 315,000 Mozambicans face food shortages – Official

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Over 315,000 Mozambicans face food shortages – Official

8:41 CAT | 01 Apr 2016

The Mozambican government says over 300,000 people are affected by food insecurity as a result of the drought in southern and central Mozambique while floods in the north have affected 32,243 people and destroyed 4,991 houses as well as 109 schools, APA learns here on Wednesday.Cabinet spokesperson and also Deputy Health Minister Mouzinho Saide said a national campaign of solidarity with the victims of these natural disasters had so far led to the collection of 27 tonnes of foodstuffs, 444 shelter kits, and $15,600.

Addressing a media briefing after a cabinet meeting late on Tuesday, the official said the drought means that Mozambique is facing a serious grain shortage and the country has always had to import most of the wheat it consumes, as well as much of the rice, but it has at least been self-sufficient in maize.

The official put this year’s grain deficit at 149,000 tonnes of maize, 267,000 tonnes of rice and 328,000 tonnes of wheat.

Source: APA