FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2001 SIERRA LEONE 39

SIERRA LEONE

Area:

72 000 sq.km

Climate:

Mostly tropical wet-dry; extreme south tropical wet; rainy season: March-October

Population:

5.03 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$130 (1999)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country

Logistics:

Roads inadequate

Major foodcrops:

Rice, roots and tubers

Marketing year:

January/December; Lean season: July-August

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

57 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Seasonably dry conditions prevail. A reduced rice crop has been harvested in 2000 as planted areas were significantly below the previous year's level due to a resurgence of civil strife in early May, the critical planting period. Due to insecurity, input distribution and relief operations were suspended or seriously disrupted, notably in the north. Fighting along the border with Guinea and Liberia intensified in late 2000, resulting in new waves of population displacement. About 3 500 refugees arrived in eastern Sierra Leone, fleeing fighting in the "Parrot's Beak" region of southwestern Guinea. The returnees from Liberia are arriving into Daru and Zimmi, while those from Guinea are arriving through Kono to Kenema. Returnees also arrived by boat from Conakry.

Reflecting a reduced crop and transport problems, the food supply situation will remain tight in 2001. In addition to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) already registered, new IDPs have been registered in the south and west following the upsurge of fighting in May and October. More than 400 000 Sierra Leonean refugees remain in neighbouring West African countries, mostly in Guinea and Liberia.

Despite the hostilities, WFP and NGOs continue food distributions. WFP plans to distribute during 2001 more than 50 000 tonnes of food aid to an estimated 544 000 beneficiaries. The government launched a resettlement plan in Freetown, Port Loko, Kenema and Pejehun districts which have been declared safe for people to return to. IDPs returning to areas of origin will receive a two-month resettlement ration. It has been estimated that up to 25 000 IDPs in the camps could be resettled, but there appears to be considerable reluctance of some IDPs to move to their places of origin due to the lack of local infrastructure there.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2001 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Previous five years average production - 347 46 393

Previous five years average imports 78 109 30 217

2001 Domestic Availability - 124 24 148

2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 198 23 221

2000 Production (rice in milled terms) - 119 23 142

Possible stock drawdown - 5 1 6

2001 Utilization 80 334 54 468

Food Use 80 304 50 434

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use - 30 4 34

Exports or Re-exports - - - -

Possible stock build up - - - -

2001 Import Requirement 80 210 30 320

Anticipated commercial imports 50 180 - 230

Food aid needs 30 30 30 90

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges 33 - - 33

of which: Delivered - - - -

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 16 61 10 87

Indexes

2000 production as % of average: 56

2001 import requirement as % of average: 147

FAO/GIEWS - April 2001

Area:	72 000 sq.km
Climate:	Mostly tropical wet-dry; extreme south tropical wet; rainy season: March-October
Population:	5.03 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$130 (1999)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
Logistics:	Roads inadequate
Major foodcrops:	Rice, roots and tubers
Marketing year:	January/December; Lean season: July-August
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	57 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Previous five years average production	-	347	46	393
Previous five years average imports	78	109	30	217
2001 Domestic Availability	-	124	24	148
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	198	23	221
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	119	23	142
Possible stock drawdown	-	5	1	6
2001 Utilization	80	334	54	468
Food Use	80	304	50	434
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	-	30	4	34
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	-	-
Possible stock build up	-	-	-	-
2001 Import Requirement	80	210	30	320
Anticipated commercial imports	50	180	-	230
Food aid needs	30	30	30	90
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	33	-	-	33
of which: Delivered	-	-	-	-
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	16	61	10	87
Indexes
2000 production as % of average:				56
2001 import requirement as % of average:				147