The UN has launched an appeal for over $600 million to deal with famine in South Africa.
Nearly half the money is earmarked for Zimbabwe which once exported food to hungry neighbours.
Nearly 13 million people in six countries - more than half of them children - are struggling to survive because of food shortages.
UN secretary general Mr Kofi Annan said: "There is still an opportunity to avert famine and to save lives, but the window is closing rapidly."
A statement has urged the international community "to avert another human tragedy on the African continent".
The situation is the worst since the drought of 1992, according to the UN.
It claims the food crisis has been worsened "by questionable government policies and the general economic downturn in the region as well as limited access to basic social services".
Mr Annan said the $611 million needed would be used over the next year for immediate food supplies and other life-saving support as well as the prevention of HIV/Aids and other communicable diseases.
Malawi needs $144.3 million - about 24 per cent of the total - to help more than three million people face food shortages.
Meanwhile Zambia needs $71.4 million to assist 2.3 million people, Mozambique $43.7, Lesotho $41 million, Swaziland $19 million and regional famine-fighting efforts $6.8 million.
PA