In addition, the impact of AIDS on food supplies particularly affects women and children. Women contribute over 50% of food production in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia and typically carry out the labour intensive elements of farm ing. Women are responsible for subsistence production, food storage, food preparation and water collection. The recurrent food crisis in southern Africa highlights how vulnerable many countries are to shocks that disrupt food production and consumption. The prevalence rates of HIV are, not surprisingly, high in those countries most affected by food shortages and range from 15% in Malawi to 33% in Swaziland.