BBC News Online: World: Africa

Malawi facing food shortages

The Christian charity, World Vision International, says a worsening food crisis in Malawi could leave up to a quarter of all children under the age of five severely malnourished.

The charity's spokesman in Malawi Elton Ntwana said that the southern part of the country, which was by hit by floods earlier in the year, was the worst affected.

He said a national plan was being drawn up by the government and the United Nations' World Food Programme.

Malawi's president, Bakili Muluzi, has said the government will distribute free food to people in desperate need.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service