LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN: In Haiti, delivery of food assistance is facing growing difficulties due the escalation of violence and civil unrest, particularly in the Northern department that has also recently been affected by flooding. Food assistance continues to be provided also in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua to rural families affected by the severe crisis in the coffee sector. In South America, overall prospects for coarse grain are favourable, but in Ecuador, production of maize and rice may be affected by dry weather at planting time.