One sixth of UN Membership Faces Food Emergency.

The number of countries facing food emergencies rose in May, with 36 nations currently affected by serious shortages, according to a new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), released on 14 June. Drought is largely to blame for the food crises, all found in developing countries, with civil strife exacerbating the situation. Nearly 16 million people are without adequate food in the Horn of Africa, including some 8 million Ethiopians. The resurgence of fighting in Sierra Leone has disrupted farming during the country's critical planting period. Intensified fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to hamper agricultural activities there. Countries of southern Africa, especially civil-war-ravaged Angola, need massive relief assistance. In Asia, serious drought has devastated crops and livestock in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Chronic food difficulties in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea force the country to continue to depend on outside assista nce. Aid is also needed to help vulnerable people in Europe's trouble spots, including the Balkans. Natural disasters in parts of Latin America have left a number of countries in need of emergency aid. However, in East Timor food shortages have eased, thanks to international food aid and this year's strong maize and rice harvest.