41.  The North, its economy floundering, already was suffering from serious food shortages that have been worsened by the floods.

42.  They are expected to face a serious food shortage by the end of the bitter winter.

43.  The World Food Program has predicted as many as one million people throughout the country could face serious food shortages this year.

44.  There is no widespread starvation in Somalia now, although there are fears regional drought could cause serious food shortages.

45.  U.N. agencies have warned that North Korea faces serious food supply problems that could lead to possible starvation affecting millions of people in the coming months.

46.  While no serious food shortages are expected, Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov said the government wants to be prepared in case of hardship this winter.

47.  Zimbabwe, which normally runs large food surpluses, is now facing serious food shortages.

48.  His remarks followed a series of reports here that North Korea faces an internal crisis created by serious food shortages and economic woes.

49.  Adji called on the people of Niger to accept sacrifices to ensure their survival in the face of serious food shortages and other problems.

50.  Defectors say many North Koreans are in hiding in China after slipping out of the communist North, shaken by serious food shortages.