Coffee rust plague seen turning into food crisis

The current coffee rust plague affecting Central America's harvest could lead to a food crisis in the region, according to global nonprofit organization Action Against Hunger.

Rural areas in the region often lack staple foods from June to August, due to a decline in reserves and lack of jobs, but this year, with the coffee rust plague, the shortage of food could be much worse, the organization said.

One way to deal with the issue is to give families in rural areas handouts of food or financial support, in order for them to cover basic needs until the maize harvest in September, said Alejandro Zurita, regional director for Action Against Hunger.

Full story (in Spanish)