Malawi food crisis worsens

A worsening food crisis threatening millions of people in Malawi has prompted the President to plead for international aid and declare a state of disaster in the poor southern African nation.

President Bingu wa Mutharika said the crisis was threatening 5 million of the country's 11 million people, as drought has slashed the production of maize, a staple. High rates of HIV infection have also made many farmers too sick to tend crops.

Many in Malawi's opposition and civil society said the President's call for help was too late and accused him of ignoring earlier calls for a declaration of national disaster.