Maize Prices Effect Aid

The high price of maize in the African market will likely shrink the effectiveness of planned food aid to Malawi and surrounding nations. Projections made for the famine were based on maize prices already equal to the present market value, and likely well below the price in coming months. Reuters quotes the World Food Program in a recent article.

The fact that prices are already rising dramatically - months ahead of the lean season - means that many people we assumed would be able to fend for themselves will need food aid earlier. It can take up to four months to move food to the region, so donations are needed urgently if we are to reach the neediest before the beginning of the lean season.