[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 100 (Monday, July 22, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE SCOURGE OF HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 22, 2002

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call 
attention to a brewing crisis in southern Africa that threatens the 
lives of millions of men, women, and children. The scourge of hunger 
and malnutrition is far too common around the world, yet there is 
compelling evidence that we should be particularly concerned about what 
is taking place in six different countries.
  The World Food Program reports that many families in the region have 
resorted to eating such foods as unripe melons and poisonous berries 
just to have something to fill the stomach. The numbers are 
staggering--7 million people require immediate assistance, and this 
number is expected to rise to 13 million by the end of this year. When 
people are so desperate to eat that they harvest their unripe crops and 
consume their seed corn, it is time that the world takes notice and 
lends a hand.
  Mr. Speaker, the causes for the worst food crisis in southern Africa 
in more than a decade are many. Irregular rains and prolonged drought 
have upset the rhythm of the planting season and destroyed crops. The 
HIV/AIDS crisis has seriously harmed the productive capacity of many 
families since in some areas up to 20 percent of the adult population 
is infected with the virus. The frailty caused by pre-existing 
malnutrition has exacerbated the effects of hunger and disease. And 
corrupt governments have sometimes disrupted food production and 
distribution.
  As the breadbasket of the world, it is imperative that United States 
increase our efforts to provide immediate assistance to the millions of 
starving people in southern Africa. Mr. Speaker, we also must address 
the root causes of this crisis. We need to promote more efficient 
farming methods, such as improved irrigation and new agricultural 
technologies. We need to encourage good governance and political 
stability in the region. And we need to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in 
the region. But for now, we must do what we can in the short term so 
that we can save as many of these people as possible.

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