19 Aug 2004

Agencies in Solomons say they have not heard of food shortages on Malaita

8:27 pm on 19 August 2004

The National Disaster Council, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Solomon Islands Red Cross say they are unaware of any food shortage on Malaita.

The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation has reported up to five thousand people in eastern Malaita are facing hunger because bad weather has affected their root crops and disrupted gardening.

The SIBC also said rice, which has been a supplementary diet for many people, had become too expensive.

However all three aid organisations say they have not received any official report of food shortages in the province.