Issue
4,
May
2002
Archive
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Due to erratic rainfall, flooding, and drought,
countries in Southern Africa are facing the worst food crisis
in Africa since 1984. It has been estimated that 19 million
people in 6 countries are facing drastic food shortages. The crop failure comes on top of two bad seasons across the region which had left the level of maize stocks too low to offset the current shortfall. Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe are the worst effected regions with sporadic rainfall causing flooding which has washed away many of the crops. |
In such times of famine, often the only
source of food available to people in the rural areas is the
wildlife. Hungry people are also indiscrimate people. They will
do whatever is necessary to ensure that the survival of their
families. African Conservancy is working with partners on the ground in Zambia to distribute maize to some of the worst effected areas, in an attempt to avert a surge in poaching. The combination of low stock levels and low production has led to higher prices for maize in the region which is further aggravating the food crisis. |
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| When people can't eat,
the environment suffers. We have committed to send maize in 4 of the
5 Zambian national park areas in which we operate and we need your help. Please pledge what you can to feed these poor people. Send your cheques made to African Conservancy/Food For Africa, 2590 San Clemente Avenue, Vista, CA 92084. Remember, every dollar helps and time is of the essence. Thank you! |
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More than 1,000 different languages are spoken in Africa. However, Somalia is the only country in the world where all the citizens speak one language, Somali. |  |
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The tongue of a giraffe can be as long as 45 cm! | ||
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The deep call of the ground hornbill is sometimes mistaken for lion grunts. | ||
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The Sahara Desert is expanding southwards at an average of 0.8 km (½ mile) a month. | ||
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The temperature of a crocodile's nest determines the gender of the young. Eggs incubated at around 89 degrees F produce females, whilst those below 87 degrees produce males. | ||
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The only place where shoals of fresh water sardines are found is in Lake Tanganyika. | ||
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When a banded mongoose is attacked, the rest of the tribe, up to 40 strong, will advance as a tightly knit pack and invariably put the aggressor to flight. For this reason they are treated with great caution by predators such as jackal. | Each member of a meerkat colony has a function: babysitter, sentry, hunter, or teacher. They rotate and share the roles. The meerkat in the picture is the sentry standing guard while the others in the colony forage or nap. Various alarm calls indicate the presence of different predators. |
| Official name: | Republic of Malawi |
| Capital: | Lilongwe |
| Currency: | Malawi Kwacha (MK) |
| Languages: | English, Chichewa (both official) |
| Religions: | Christianity, Islam |
| Population: | 10 million |
| Land area: | 45,747 sq miles |
| Bordering countries: | Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia |
| Life Expectancy: | 37 years (men), 38 years (women) |
| Main Exports: | Tabacco, tea, sugar, cotton |
| Average annual income: | US $170 |
| Gained independence: | 1964 from the British |
| President: | Dr. Bakili Muluzi |
| Places of interest: | Liwonde
National Park, Mount Mulanje, Nyika
Plateau, islands
of Chizumulu and Likoma, Lake
Malawi National Park. Click here to read more about travel in Malawi in the Lonely Planet. |
| A brief introduction: | Long inhabited
by Bantu-speaking peoples, Malawi enjoyed relative calm and
isolation from the outside world until the early 1800s, when
Arab slave traders swooped in and carried away many of its residents.
Dr. David Livingstone visited Malawi, then known as Nyasaland, or "Land of the Lake" in 1859 and Malawi was colonized by Great Britain in 1883 and remained under British control until 1964, when it gained its independence. The country's name was changed to Malawi, which means "reflected light of bright haze." |
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Somaliland The breakaway republic of Somaliland began a week-long period of national mourning at the beginning of this month, one day after the death of its president. Mohammed Ibrahim Egal died on Friday in South Africa from complications following surgery, the South African foreign ministry said. Senior Somaliland officials have named as his successor the vice- president, Dahir Riyale Kahin. Click here for more news on this story 2
Uganda
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Kenya
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Kenya 5
Malawi 6
Mozambique |
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