Following the political upheaval of 25 May 1997, the security situation remains fluid but some food aid deliveries are still underway. The overall food supply situation is improving as the main staple, rice, is currently being harvested. Rains have remained widespread during the growing season and the analysis of vegetation coverage (NDVI) using satellite imagery shows normal vegetation during this period. Due to good weather conditions and substantial agricultural input distribution by NGOs, food production is expected to be higher than last year's. Harvest of rainfed rice is well underway in the main growing areas, while swamp rice is growing satisfactorily. Cassava, sweet potatoes, bananas, groundnuts and vegetables have also been widely planted and are providing a substantial part of the food supply before the main rice harvest. The major constraints on agricultural activities are the poor or lack of infrastructure, insecurity, the small number of traders remaining in the country, and the embargo that will not allow any exports. As a result, the income generation capacity of households is extremely limited.
In the main towns, the food supply situation is tightening, following the embargo imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Although humanitarian supplies are to be exempt from the embargo, the poor and vulnerable are expected to be badly affected by the decrease of trading activities and high market prices for food. Prices of foodstuffs are very high in Freetown and the supply of food and water is deteriorating. Daily food consumption is estimated to have been reduced by about 20 percent from normal. An acute fuel shortage is also reported and severely affects all economic activities. Only a limited number of shops and markets have re-opened as many traders have left the country. Due to poor security conditions, very limited trade takes place between rural areas and Freetown. Nevertheless, significant quantities of rice had been imported into Sierra Leone before the embargo, but are sold at very high prices.
The number of displaced persons is currently estimated at around 100 000. Food aid has been distributed to 26 000 displaced people in Kenema, 15 000 in Makeni and 22 000 in the Bo area, from stocks that were in the country before the embargo but which are now exhausted. Humanitarian assistance is very limited due to poor security conditions. About 60 000 Sierra-Leonean refugees are also receiving food assistance in neighbouring Guinea.
The national cereal balance sheet constructed in early 1997 following an FAO/GIEWS Crop and Food Assessment Mission in December 1996 had indicated a cereal import requirement for 1997 of 260 000 tons. Commercial imports were estimated at 180 000 tons and the food aid requirement at 80 000 tons. It is estimated that from January to late August, about 120 000 tons of commercial imports had been received, and as of late September, reports from donors indicate that about 115 000 tons of food aid had been pledged for Sierra Leone. Thus, assuming that no additional commercial imports are possible up to the end of the year, only 230 000 tons will have been received by the end of 1997, leaving an uncovered gap of 30 000 tons. The revised balance sheet indicates that cereal consumption is likely to decrease from 114 kg/person/year to 101 kg/person/year. Sierra Leone�s cereal import requirement for 1998 is currently estimated at about 300 000 tons, virtually all of which would need to be provided as food aid if the embargo stops commercial imports,.