LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN: Torrential rain and severe flooding in Haiti and Dominican Republic have caused loss of life and damage to property and assets. In Haiti, following improved security, delivery of food assistance is returning to normal, particularly in the Northern department that was recently affected by drought. Food assistance continues to be provided in several Central American countries to families affected by the coffee price crisis. In Argentina and Brazil, the maize crop has been affected by drought. In Ecuador and Peru, dry weather caused a marked reduction in production of winter paddy and first season maize crops.