Abnormally high temperatures and dry weather, attributed to the tail-end effects of El Niño, persist over most of the country, contributing to the propagation of forest fires. Some have been started by farmers’ slash and burn agricultural activities in preparation for planting of the 1998/99 first season cereal and bean crops. Moderate to heavy rains have been registered however since end-May particularly in the northeastern parts that could signal the definite arrival of the rainy season. Plantings of maize, the main cereal, are expected to recover from the 1997 drought affected crop, but much will depend upon the intensity and duration of the rains. Food assistance is still provided by the international community to last year’s drought- affected rural population. Assistance will be needed until the harvest of the 1998 first season crops.