Following a late start of rains and irregular rainfall during the growing season, crop prospects are below average. Heavy rains in August and September caused flooding in the Lake Tchad, Mayo-Danay, Faro and Mayo- Rey regions, which damaged infrastructures and reduced crop output. No significant activity of African Migratory Locusts has been reported following the infestations of late 1997.
With the start of the harvesting period, food prices are decreasing and food availability is satisfactory. Some food supply difficulties were reported in the flooded areas. The cereal import requirement for 1998 (January/December) is estimated at 250 000 tonnes of wheat and rice, and 10 000 tonnes of coarse grains. Following a government appeal for international food assistance, a WFP Emergency Operation provided 6 000 tonnes of relief food for 210 000 people in the extreme north. A new operation is currently under preparation.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (25 November)
Reflecting generally abundant and widespread rains, a good cereal crop is anticipated. The food supply situation is satisfactory.
For the 1998 marketing year (January/December), the cereal import requirement is estimated at about 40 000 tonnes, mainly wheat.
CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC* (25 November)
Civil strife continues since the beginning of August, mainly in the east. Planting for season A is now underway in Kivu but insecurity is hindering farming activities. Severe shortages of food and medicines are reported. Cholera remains a major concern, especially in the Shabunda area in South Kivu. Moreover, many farming households were unable to take full advantage of the favourable weather conditions during the last season B largely due to lack of inputs. Considerable population movements have been reported, both within DRC and to neighbouring countries. Local authorities in Goma have appealed for assistance for 31 750 people, most of whom have lost their homes in the conflict areas. More than 11 000 Burundian refugees hosted by the local population in South Kivu, mainly in the Uvira region, are also in poor health with high malnutrition rates. The situation is particularly worrisome in Kindu, in Maniema Province, as all ground links have been cut.
The food supply situation is also deteriorating in Lubumbashi, where flooding in the province last year destroyed up to 70 percent of crops and basic foodstuffs are costly and becoming increasingly scarce in the markets. In addition, Lubumbashi is host to displaced people who came from Kalemie, Nyunzu and Nyemba areas in mid-October. Between 20 000 and 40 000 displaced people are also reported around Kabalo, Nyunzu, Nyemba, Manono and Ankoro. In the Orientale Province, there are tens of thousands of vulnerable people in Kisangani where there is a scarcity of consumer goods on local markets, as the town has not been supplied since mid-August.
Following the civil strife in 1997 which severely disrupted food marketing and caused large-scale displacement of the urban population, the situation was improving in Brazzaville but recent civil disturbances are reportedly causing renewed population displacement in the southern parts. The food supply situation in Brazzaville remains problematic due to the suspension of railway traffic from Pointe-Noire and river traffic from Kinshasa. Food prices are increasing. Local suppliers and WFP have started food airlifts from Pointe-Noire to the capital.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA (25 November)
The staple foodcrops are sweet potatoes, cassava and plantains. Some 10 000 tonnes of wheat and rice are imported annually. The food aid requirement in 1998 (January/December) is estimated at 2 000 tonnes of wheat and rice.
The staple foodcrops are cassava and plantains, the production of which is estimated at about 330 000 tonnes. The country imports the bulk of its cereal consumption requirement. The wheat and rice requirement in 1998 is estimated at 82 000 tonnes. No food aid is necessary.