ASIA:Several countries have been hit by adverse weather, posing a serious threat to their food security. In Afghanistan, the third consecutive year of drought has intensified the severe food crisis, pushing millions into destitution. DPR Korea is experiencing a serious drought just after the coldest winter in decades, while Mongolia is recovering from two consecutive extremely harsh winters that killed millions of livestock. Parts of China, India and Pakistan are also experiencing drought. In the CIS countries affected by drought in 2000 some 4 million people continue to need food assistance to survive.