On disaster areas

For those who aren't yet completely donated out after all the other disasters this year, the Guardian reports on an area facing far more dire straits than the ones in the headlines:

Last week the entire country was declared a disaster area by its president. Aid agencies warn that nearly half the country's 12 million population could starve in the next six months without massive and immediate food donations. So far, it has not been forthcoming. The UN World Food Programme still needs $76m (£43.3m) to feed 2.9 million Malawians until the harvest in April. Sheila Sisulu, deputy executive director of the WFP, described international inaction over Malawi as "deplorable".

While the British government aims to feed 2.2 million Malawians through a voucher scheme in 16 districts, it is not enough. "We know governments only act when they see children dying on their TV screens, but once the damage is done it's very difficult to undo," said Peter Smerdon of the WFP. It's much harder to fund an emergency and prevent massive loss of life than stop one happening."

Of course, the needs of local food banks and the like are also important, along with relief in the better-publicized areas. But Malawi and its neighbours may present a humanitarian disaster on a scale far beyond even the tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes that get more attention. And the long-term assistance given through this year's planned debt relief hasn't yet begun to help the region.

Spread the word, along with whatever wealth you can spare through the World Food Programme.