GUATEMALA (26 October)
From the beginning of July to the end of August, torrential rains have affected the capital and the departments of Izabal, Alta Verapaz, Huehuetenango and San Marcos, causing flooding and mudslides and damages to urban and rural infrastructures. Beginning 2 October, Hurricane Stan struck the country extensively damaging crops, housing, infrastructure and electrical and phone networks. On 6 October, the government of Guatemala declared a state of emergency for all of the country. Close to 300 000 people are estimated to have been affected, with more than 600 dead. WFP has launched an emergency operation (EMOP) worth US$ 14,095,272 to provide food assistance for some 285 000 people for a period of six months (October 2005 – April 2006). Harvesting of 2005 first season coarse grains had recently been completed, while planting of second season cereal and bean crops was underway. Total planted area with maize crop in 2005 is forecast at an average level of 614 000 hectares with an estimated output of about 1 million tonnes. Rising oil prices are affecting prices of main staple food with serious food security consequences for the poorest and most vulnerable population groups. A similar concern exists about a possible increase in the prices of agricultural inputs which could cause a reduction in their use and lead to lower yields and production.
Wheat and maize import requirements for 2005/06 marketing year (July/June) had been forecast at about 400 000 tonnes and 580 000 tonnes respectively, volumes slightly more than those of the previous year. With the support of the “National Front against Hunger”, the international community continues providing food assistance to the most food insecure rural families, in particular to children less than five years old and pregnant and lactating women suffering acute malnutrition.