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UN says millions face acute food shortages

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Associated Press - April 1, 1998

Geoff Spencer, Jakarta – Millions of Indonesia's poorest are in danger of serious food shortages because of drought conditions and a deepening economic crisis, a United Nations team said today.

The finding, though not unexpected, adds to growing alarm that a sour economic climate in the world's fourth most-populous nation could spark widespread social unrest. Student protests have been gathering force, and rioting broke out recently over rising food prices.

The UN group said today that 1.5 million families, or 7.5 million people in 15 provinces, "risk experiencing food insecurity until early next year."

Those most at risk are in the bottom third of 8 million rural families, a group that government officials say normally live under "chronic marginal circumstances," including less than two meals a day.

Team leader Uwe Kracht said the situation could not be described as a "famine." Nevertheless, "many pockets of the population are facing acute food supply inadequacy," he said.

While Indonesia has large cities, many of its 200 million people are poor rural dwellers, dependent on traditional farm production, mainly rice growing.

But that cycle has been compromised by severe drought. Meteorologists blame the El Nino weather phenomenon for the absence of seasonal monsoon rain in many areas.

In addition to the drought, Indonesia is being dragged through its worst economic crisis in 30 years. The currency, the rupiah, has plunged about 70 percent and inflation and unemployment have soared.

According to news reports today, President Suharto acknowledged this week that government policies have contributed to the severe economic troubles.

In a speech read out at a series of provincial ceremonies across the country Tuesday, the president said his government bore some of the responsibility for falling living standards and the impoverishment of many Indonesians.

"We need introspection and to review various policies and sectorial strategies we have followed so far, which directly or indirectly caused the monetary crisis," Suharto said.

The U.N. warning on hunger comes as representatives of donor countries and other international agencies were scheduled to meet in Washington to discuss aid to lessen the social impact of the crisis.

The U.N. team, which comprises staff from the Food and Agricultural Organization and the World Food Program, said a lack of water and scant funds for fertilizers and good quality seed will reduce the rice harvest this year. As a result, costly rice imports will reach record levels.

Ravi Rajan, who represents the United Nations Development Program in Indonesia, said the WFP would provide nutritional support for pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers as well as children under five, and would distribute free food on a limited basis.

Several countries have already pledged food and medical aid for cash-strapped Indonesia.

Indonesia and the International Monetary Fund are finalizing negotiations to save a $43 billion economic rescue package. The IMF bailout was originally agreed to late last year and was reviewed and strengthened in January after it faltered.

But it stalled again in February amid fears that Suharto's government was backsliding on promises to reform the economy, including breaking up monopolies and subsidies that have enriched the president's family and friends.

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