Botswana Asks For Help To Fight Drought

Botswana has appealed for international aid to combat a fourth consecutive year of drought.

President Sir Ketumile Masire declared the drought this week in a national radio address and predicted a crop failure rate of 80 to 90 percent, leading to possible food shortages. He appealed for foreign aid.

Drought is blistering much of southern Africa this year. Though famine is not expected, cash-strapped countries are expected to have to spend more money on food imports to make up for lost crops.