FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 06/99 - SIERRA LEONE* (21 June)
Growing conditions are satisfactory for recently planted rice and root crops and abundant rainfall was recorded in May. However, insecurity in most parts continues to disrupt agriculture and rehabilitation, mainly delivery of agricultural inputs. The security situation has improved during the past weeks and emergency distribution of seeds and tools is planned. This may not, however, be sufficient to allow recovery.
Estimates indicate that about 700 000 to 1 million people have been displaced country-wide. Most aid agencies have returned to Freetown where food distributions are underway. The nutritional situation of IDPs, however, remains precarious and food prices remain very high. Despite the recently signed cease fire and control of main roads to Bo and Kenema areas by ECOMOG forces, insecurity still restructs transport of food aid to these areas where large numbers of internally displaced persons are located. Prepositioned food aid stocks are almost exhausted and only limited quantities can be transported by air. As a result, food distributions to about 60 000 persons around Bo and Kenema may cease in June. Food aid deliveries to the north of the country are organized from neighbouring Guinea. Most humanitarian operations are constrained by poor infrastructure, severe fuel shortages and insecurity. It is estimated that about half of the population of the country remains out of reach of any assistance.
Despite satisfactory weather conditions, 1998 cereal output is estimated at 400 000 tonnes (paddy equivalent), 16 percent lower than in 1997. FAO estimates Sierra Leone�s cereal import requirement for 1999 at about 290 000 tonnes, including 140 000 tonnes of food aid. As of the end of May, 17 000 tonnes of food aid, mainly bulgur wheat, had been delivered.
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