HARARE — The United Nations food agency has negotiated a humanitarian corridor to keep food aid flowing in southern Africa after most countries shut their borders to stop the spread of coronavirus, an official said on Thursday. Up to 45 million people in southern Africa face hunger following a devastating drought and two cyclones last year, and there are growing fears the situation could be compounded by the outbreak of coronavirus. Lola Castro, World Food Programme director for southern Africa, said South Africa had agreed to let vessels carrying food aid land on its shores and move it to countries like Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana and Namibia, which face food shortages. Castro told reporters during a video conference that Africa's most advanced economy, which has declared a 21-day lockdown, had agreed to "a sort of a humanitarian corridor", a move that would help the agency continue its work.

Source: International New York Times April 02, 2020 15:00 UTC