In early 2002 southern Africa was gripped by food shortages. These were just one aspect of a complex humanitarian crisis, with impacts ranging across all sectors, from agriculture, to education and health. This report, from the International Development Committee of the UK House of Commons, says that if the countries of southern Africa are to escape the vicious circle of vulnerability, crisis, poverty and HIV/ AIDS, governments, donors, NGOs, the private sector and international organisations will have to work together more effectively, and work together regionally.