The agency issued a statement saying that an appeal in July for 419 million dollars to feed the vulnerable in southern Africa had brought just 102 million dollars.

"The region faces a catastrophe brought about by poverty, food shortages, HIV/AIDS and soaring unemployment rates," it said.

In Lesotho, a mountainous enclave in South Africa, "severe drought conditions started as far (back) as April," said WFP Lesotho director Techeste Zergaber.

"Drought conditions, despite (a) few showers, are expected to continue," he said.

TERRA.WIRE