Significant improvement in the security situation is facilitating the implementation of humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation activities. The lifting of the embargo has led to some improvement in the functioning of food markets as well as the flow of relief food supplies. Nevertheless, the food supply situation is still precarious, as very little humanitarian assistance was provided to the country since the implementation of the economic embargo in August 1997. The ECOMOG peace keeping forces are now deployed throughout the country, reopening the main roads, and food assistance is now reaching the main towns. However, insecurity still prevails in various parts of the country, notably in the east, southeast and the north, causing population displacements. At least 50 000 people have fled to neighbouring Liberia in recent weeks. This could hamper preparations for the next rice crop to be planted in April, as well as agricultural rehabilitation activities. As the security situation has improved in the areas controlled by ECOMOG, emergency agricultural inputs need to be provided immediately for the 1998 main growing season which is just starting.
FAO estimates Sierra Leone�s cereal import requirement for 1998 at about 260 000 tonnes. If peace is quickly re established throughout the country, it is estimated that about 180 000 tonnes of cereals would be imported by local traders up to the end of 1998, leaving a food aid requirement of 80 000 tonnes. If, however, farm families continue to be displaced by fighting, the country will continue to face severe food difficulties in 1998. In early March, the United Nations launched a flash appeal for US$11.2 million to meet priority humanitarian needs over the next three months.