This is the third and final issue in 1998 of this quarterly report prepared by the FAO Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) on the food supply situation, cereal import and food aid requirements for all countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The report is designed to provide the latest analysis and information on the food situation in these countries to governments, international organizations and other institutions engaged in relief operations.
Part I focuses on the looming food crisis in Somalia and the deteriorating food supply situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It also highlights the improved food situation in southern Sudan and the continuing need for international food assistance in Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The bleak food outlook for Angola is also underscored, while the need for donor support for local purchases in countries with cereal surpluses in eastern Africa and the Sahel sub-region is brought to the attention of the international donor community. A Special Feature gives an overview of the livestock disease situation in eastern Africa and suggests what needs to be done about it.
Part II contains an assessment of crop prospects and the food supply situation by sub-region, giving the latest estimates of cereal import and food aid requirements of all four sub-regions of sub-Saharan Africa.
Part III presents the latest analysis and information on crop prospects and the food supply situation and outlook in each country. The information on food aid pledges, including triangular transactions and local purchases, and on expected arrivals, is based on data transmitted to GIEWS as of late November 1998 by the following donors: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, EC, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States as well as the World Food Programme. For other donors, data are based on field reports from various sources (see Tables 7 and 8).
Since conditions can change rapidly, and published information may not always represent the most up-to-date basis for action, further enquiries or corrections should be directed to Mr. Abdur Rashid, Chief, Global Information and Early Warning Service (ESCG), FAO, Rome (Fax: 39-06-5705-4495, E-mail INTERNET: [email protected]).
