Landslides and flooding in various parts of the country caused by the passage of hurricane “Isidore” at the end of September caused damage to rural housing and infrastructure. No major losses in agriculture have been reported. Normal to above-normal rains typical of the ongoing hurricane season have also been registered during October, with some damage particularly to coastal villages. Harvesting of the 2002 second season maize crop, mainly white, has started. Early forecasts point out to an average output of about 1.1 million tonnes. Harvesting of the sorghum and second season bean crops has also started and average outputs of 47 000 tonnes and about 90 000 tonnes are anticipated respectively. Food emergency assistance from the international community continues to be provided to rural families affected by last year’s drought and by the irregular rainfall pattern which this summer affected the first season crops in some localized areas in the east, such as El Progreso, Zacapa and Chiquimula. Food assistance is also being delivered to thousands of unemployed people from coffee plantations which have been forced to close due to the international coffee price crisis which has stricken the sector for three years. Cases of severe malnutrition in certain groups, including children, is reported.