|
Area:
|
2 268 000 sq.km
|
|
Climate:
|
Tropical wet climate in the central basin, tropical
wet-dry in the extreme north and south
|
|
Population:
|
46.19 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US
$ 110 (1997)
|
|
Specific characteristics
of the country: |
Low-income food-deficit country; tropical country with
access to sea
|
|
Logistics:
|
Roads inadequate
|
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Roots and tubers, coarse grains, fruit
|
|
Marketing year:
|
January/December; Lean season: October (north), November-December
(south)
|
|
Share of cereals
in total calorie intake: |
15 percent
|
Abundant and regular rains covered the entire country in September and October except in the south-east and the extreme west. The food supply situation is very tight in most parts of the country. Recent FAO estimates indicate that over 10 million people are living in conditions of food insecurity, including some two million seriously-affected people. In addition, 150 000 people have taken refuge in neighbouring countries. The most affected groups according to the report include 831 000 displaced persons, 844 000 vulnerable urban residents and some 300 000 refugees currently in the DRC. Other affected people include 5.1 million living along the front line, and 2.5 million people in homes hosting the displaced. Another 4.1 million people are in isolated rural areas and are vulnerable to food insecurity. The division of the country in two since the start of the conflict has virtually halted all formal internal trade, while population displacements have seriously disrupted agricultural activities. The deterioration of people's purchasing power, and the shortage of basic consumer goods have exacerbated the food problem.
A cholera outbreak was reported in Kisangani in September. Tens of thousands have fled ethnic clashes in Bunia in the northeast, near the Ugandan border, following an outbreak of ethnic clashes between the Wahema and Walendu people. Many villages have been destroyed since July and 100 000 to 150 000 people have fled their homes. Fighting is also reported in Equateur Province.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
18 |
445 |
1 279 |
1 742 |
|
Normal Imports |
130 |
45 |
45 |
220 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
5 |
- |
5 |
10 |
|
1999 Domestic Availability |
18 |
320 |
1 388 |
1 726 |
|
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
18 |
480 |
1 388 |
1 886 |
|
1998 Production (rice in milled terms) |
18 |
320 |
1 388 |
1 726 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1999 Utilization |
158 |
370 |
1 448 |
1 976 |
|
Food Use |
151 |
313 |
1 140 |
1 604 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
5 |
5 |
|
Non-food use |
7 |
57 |
308 |
372 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1999 Import Requirement |
140 |
50 |
60 |
250 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
135 |
50 |
55 |
240 |
|
Food aid needs |
5 |
- |
5 |
10 |
|
Current Aid Position |
||||
|
Food aid pledges |
1 |
3 |
10 |
14 |
|
of which: Delivered |
1 |
3 |
10 |
14 |
|
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
3 |
7 |
25 |
35 |
|
Indexes |
||||
|
1998 production as % of normal: |
108 |
|||
|
1999 import requirement as % of normal: |
114 |
|||
|
1999 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
100 |
