Countries Pledge Food Aid To Guatemala
Mexico, Brazil and Venezuela have offered to
send aid to Guatemala, which is facing food
shortages. Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom
said Venezuela and Mexico have offered to
send rice and other grains, while Brazil has
also offered help.
Guatemalan authorities said the shortages
are said to be greatest in a "dry corridor"
in six provinces that have had little rain
in recent months due to the effects of El
Niño.
About 25 children have died of malnutrition
in the region this year, authorities said.
Guatemala has estimated that about 400,000
families are "at risk of food insecurity."
The World Food Program plans to distribute
more than 18 tonnes of nutritional cookies
in the worst-hit areas.
A week ago, Colom declared "a state of
public calamity" to help raise support.
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