Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland are all experiencing a cocktail of crises, both natural and man-made. This includes much of the geography of Southern Africa.

When fact-finding missions report their discoveries affecting some six countries, the figure of eight million may soon double or even triple. Some estimate that at least 20 million people may be at serious risk from famine, and this may be the worst food shortage in some 60 years.

Starving children scavenge for berries in drought-ridden and politically chaotic Zimbabwe. Convoys of food aid have already been hijacked by pro-Mugabe thugs and distributed exclusively to their political supporters. In Malawi the average life expectancy is about 37 years, with a literacy rate of 56 percent. It is estimated that "in Malawi alone, at least two million of its 11 million population will die."

Truly the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are already riding high in this area of Africa. However, U.S. officials are preparing a major response to cope with this huge food crisis. "What's unfolding in Southern Africa is very big," acknowledged one official from a U.S. agency for international humanitarian assistance. Thankfully, since God has blessed North America and the Western world with abundant food resources, these countries can help other nations in time of need. (Sources: The Independent on Sunday, The Sunday Telegraph, The Daily Mirror [all London], Reuters, USA Today.)