Reuters reported ten million may be at risk of starvation in nine states in Brazil's northeast in the worst drought since the 1983 ENSO. Over 1,000 towns are on the point of exhausting local resources to deal with the problem. Stan Lehman and Jack Epstein of Associated Press reports looting in a supermarket in Gravata as farmers sought food for their families in this town in northeastern Brazil, Similar looting has occurred in five other cities, following six months of drought related to EL Nino/Southern Oscillation effects. In one town, farmers carted off 17 tons of food for their families. Demonstrations such as road blockages and building occupations have occurred in 65 municipalities. The police have been ordered to guard regional food supply depots. People are eating rodents and vegetation. Even without ENSO, conditions in NW Brazil are marginal, with 40% of children malnourished in 'normal' years. In the early 1980's, including the 1983 - 1984 ENSO, 350,000 died in the area--VIA Nando.net <http://www.nando.net>.