SOMALIA* (1 May)
Recent rains in parts have improved prospects for the main “gu” cereal crops which account for some 75-80 percent of the annual production in normal years. However, more rains are necessary to achieve good yields. A flood advisory was recently issued in response to alarmingly rising river levels. Two weeks of above normal rainfall in April over the Shabelle river basin in both the Ethiopian highlands and Somalia have resulted in rising river levels which need close monitoring.
Serious humanitarian concerns continue to be expressed in several areas of northern and central regions as a result of cumulative effects of successive droughts. The Food Security Assessment Unit (FSAU) has recently reported that Sool Plateau, North Nugal and South Bari, and parts of North Mudug and South Nugal remain in a state of humanitarian emergency. In some areas destitute pastoralists have congregated steadily to form camps in villages, along roads, and at permanent water points in Sool and Nugal. Water shortages, depleted pastures and exorbitant water prices still affect much of the region.
Estimates of the secondary deyr season cereal crop, harvested in February, are put at about 101 000 tonnes, well below the previous year’s output.