Rainfall was abundant and above average from mid-August to early November. Cumulative rainfall as of the end of October, and the vegetation index are above average over the whole country. Harvesting of millet and sorghum is drawing to an end in the north, while the second maize crop is growing satisfactorily in the centre. The prospects for the 1997 output are good. However, African migratory locust infestations have developed in the north, from recently reported swarms in southern Chad, and could damage the millet and sorghum crops. They are also threatening recession crops currently being planted. Control operations have started in the affected areas.
The cereal import requirement for 1997/98 (July/June) is estimated at 260 000 tons of wheat and rice and 10 000 tons of coarse grains.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (17 November)
Growing conditions have been favourable during the whole growing season. The harvesting of millet and sorghum is drawing to an end while the second maize crop is growing satisfactorily. First estimates for 1997 cereal production point to about 120 000 tons which is above average. Cassava production is estimated at 580 000 tons.
In addition to the more than 35 000 refugees from Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo who arrived in the Central African Republic in late May/early June, there are 27 400 assisted Sudanese refugees in the country. Approximately 5 000 Chadians also receive food assistance. For the 1997 marketing year (January/December), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 39 000 tons, mainly wheat and rice.
CONGO, REPUBLIC OF (17 November)
Rainfall started in mid-August, became abundant over the north and the centre in late August, and reached the south in early October, allowing the planting of maize. As the main growing season starts in September in the north and the centre, agricultural activities and particularly the planting of maize, might have been affected by insecurity, the presence of high numbers of refugees, and the lack of seeds and other inputs usually coming from Brazzaville or Pointe Noire. This might affect the cereal output, but only marginally as regards root and tuber production which forms the bulk of foodcrops production. Fishing activities on the Congo river, which represent a substantial part of household income, are also hampered by the decrease of trading activities with these two main cities.
It is estimated that about 600 000 people left Brazzaville during the civil disturbances, of whom some 450 000 went into rural areas and have substantially increased the demand on the available resources. This may hamper normal agricultural activities in many areas and could limit the output of the main growing season which is starting now. Food assistance is being provided in Brazzaville to about 55 000 refugees from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as displaced Congolese. In Loukolela and Bilolo, close to 10,000 Rwandan refugees continue to receive food assistance. About 40 000 Congolese people fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo and are being housed in a refugee camp near Kinshasa. Before the fighting, the overall food supply situation was satisfactory, with production of staple foodcrops (roots, tubers and plantains) amounting to about 650 000 tons. Markets were well supplied with these staples. For the 1997/98 marketing year (July/June), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 113 000 tons, mostly wheat, including a structural food aid requirement of 2 000 tons.
CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF * (28 November)
Seasonal rains started in August over the north and moved towards the south. Abundant rains occurred over the whole country in October and early November. The main maize crop has been planted following the onset of rains. Millet and sorghum are currently being harvested in the east. In Rutshuru, near Goma, the current sorghum, maize and coffee crops are reported to be poor, due to intermittent rains, lack of basic inputs, as well as delayed plantings due to civil strife and population displacements. This is also likely to be the case in many other areas, particularly in eastern, central and southern areas, although the main foodcrop, cassava, can be stored in the ground and is less affected by a lack of inputs. Distribution of seeds and tools would be especially useful in the centre and the south, where the planting of the main season crops is underway now. The Democratic Republic of Congo has also started to buy large numbers of cattle from Sahelian countries to restock the country's livestock sub-sector.
The food supply situation is still critical in the east where severe malnutrition is reported among the remaining refugees and the security situation is still tense. In addition to about 190 000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), of whom some 95 000 in Masisi, humanitarian sources estimate the number of remaining refugees at more than 20 000. Increased civil strife in North and South Kivu has resulted in considerable population movements and disorder, while it also had a negative impact on the delivery of humanitarian assistance. UNHCR has suspended its operations related to Rwandan refugees as well as rehabilitation activities in this region and food aid monitoring and distribution remains very limited. In the West, following the fighting in Brazzaville, about 40 000 Congolese were reported to have sought refuge in Kinshasa. In addition, there are an estimated 50 000 assisted and 119 000 unassisted Angolan refugees in the south of the country. While most of the unassisted population is expected to return spontaneously following some improvement of the situation in Angola, repatriation of the assisted refugees has started. Around 92 000 Sudanese and 37 000 Ugandan refugees also remain in the country.
The 1997 cereal import requirement (January/December) is estimated at 180 000 tons of wheat and rice and 60 000 tons of coarse grains.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA (17 November)
After limited rainfall in July and August, rains increased in September and became abundant over the entire country in October and early November, allowing the planting of the second maize crop. The staple foodcrops are sweet potatoes, cassava and plantains. Some 10 000 tons of wheat and rice are imported annually. The food aid requirement in 1997 is estimated at 2 000 tons of wheat.
After limited rainfall in July and August, rains increased in September and became abundant over the entire country in October and early November, allowing the planting of the second maize crop. Vegetation index for October shows above normal vegetation in the whole country. The staple foodcrops are cassava and plantains, the production of which is estimated at about 330 000 tons. Production of cereals in 1996, mainly maize, is estimated at around 25 000 tons. The country imports the bulk of its wheat and rice requirement which is estimated at 76 000 tons. No food aid is necessary.