Following abundant and widespread rains in late July and early August, precipitation decreased in mid and late August in the south but resumed in early September. By contrast, in the north, precipitation remained adequate in August and decreased in early September. Coarse grains are generally developing satisfactorily.
Following an above-average cereal harvest in 1999, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory except in some flooded areas in the north. Congolese refugees are present in northern Cameroon. Cereal imports for domestic use and re-export during the 2000 marketing year are estimated at 290 000 tonnes, mostly wheat and rice.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (15 September)
Following below-average rainfall during the first part of the rainy season in April/May, precipitation remained generally widespread and abundant since June, being particularly abundant in mid or late July and in early September. Therefore, the development of coarse grains is satisfactory.
Following a record cereal crop in 1999, the food supply situation remains satisfactory. The cereal import requirement for the 2000 marketing year is estimated at 29 000 tonnes, mainly wheat.
CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF* (15 September)
The civil conflict continues to escalate. Intense fighting in the past weeks was reported around the north-western city of Dongo but also in the eastern town of Butembo, 80 km from the Ugandan border, and in Walikale district. The hostilities have resulted in further displacement of people into the forests. The already serious food supply situation, following the disruption of agricultural production, is worsening with constant population movements, as living conditions in the forests are inhospitable. Overall, it is estimated that over one million people are internally displaced. The food and nutrition situation of the displaced is precarious but insecurity and closure of roads hamper distribution of humanitarian assistance. The food supply situation is also tight in urban areas, particularly in the capital city Kinshasa, with a population of 7 million, as a result of the general disruption of economic and marketing activities and the large influx of displaced people. An FAO Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission will visit the provinces of Kinshasa, Bandundu and Bas-Congo from 21 September to 10 October to evaluate the situation in accessible areas.
Following the December 1999 ceasefire between the government and opposition parties, the security situation improved in southern regions, the most affected by the conflict. As these areas account for more than half total crop production and the bulk of the supply to Brazzaville, the overall food supply situation improved significantly, notably in urban areas. However, the agriculture sector has yet to recover. The bulk of the estimated 810 000 people displaced by the war have returned to their homes. Their nutritional situation is reported to have stabilised, although they remain moderately vulnerable as many have lost their livelihoods. There are also 40 000 refugees from the Equateur province in DRC in northern areas, of whom 11 000 to 12 000 arrived in July following renewed fighting in Equateur Province. There are also 5 000 Rwandan refugees and 8 000 Angolan refugees. WFP provided food to some 200 000 persons in Brazzaville, Pointe Noire and accessible areas of Bouenza, Lekoumou, Niari and Pool during the first half of the year and plans to provide food to 120 000 persons until the end of the year. The cereal import requirement for the 2000 marketing year is estimated at 140 000 tonnes, mostly wheat and rice.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA (15 September)
Following mostly seasonably dry weather since mid-July, rains covered the entire country during the fist dekad of September. The staple crops are sweet potatoes, cassava and plantains. The cereal import requirement for the 2000 marketing year is estimated at 9 000 tonnes of rice and wheat.
Seasonably dry conditions prevailed in July and August. Rains resumed in early September. The main foodcrops are cassava and plantains but some maize is also produced (around 25 000 tonnes). The country commercially imports the bulk of its cereal requirement, estimated at around 82 000 tonnes in 2000.
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