The World Food Program says more than five hundred thousand West Africans could starve. The United Nations agency has appealed for twenty-eight million dollars in emergency food aid, but it says the reaction from aid providers has been poor. The World Food Program says Mauritania has the biggest shortage after three years of dry conditions. Other countries include Senegal, Gambia and Cape Verde. The WFP says many families have eaten their seed supplies for next year's harvest. Agencies have also warned of food shortages for millions of people in eastern and southern Africa.