|
Area:
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72 000 sq.km
|
|
Climate:
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Mostly tropical wet-dry; extreme south tropical wet;
rainy season: March-October
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|
Population:
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4.84 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$
200 (1997)
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|
Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
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|
Logistics:
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Roads inadequate
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|
Major foodcrops:
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Rice, roots and tubers
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|
Marketing year:
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January/December; Lean season: July-August
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|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
57 percent
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Growing conditions have generally been favourable since the beginning of the season, despite reduced rains in late July and in August. Security conditions have improved in many rural areas but might not affect the 1999 production substantially. Output is expected to remain close to last year's level despite favourable climatic conditions so far. Insecurity in major parts of the country at the beginning of the season prevented the delivery of agricultural inputs and disrupted agricultural activities. Recent fighting in the northern towns of Makeni and Lunsar interrupted food deliveries.
Following the peace agreement in early July, the security situation improved and allowed emergency and rehabilitation activities in the country. Food distribution is underway following the reopening of main roads from Freetown to Bo and Kenema, and from neighbouring Guinea to Kambia. However, the amount of food is insufficient to meet the needs of the large number of returnees and displaced persons, particularly in the north and the east. Current estimates put the number of displaced people at 700 000, whose nutritional status is reported to be precarious. A recent inter-agency food needs assessment mission to Kailahun area estimated the total population in the visited towns at about 15 000 inhabitants of whom some 3 000 may be Sierra Leonean refugees who fled Lofa county in Liberia due to renewed insecurity. Even with successful implementation of the peace agreement, the country will continue to rely heavily on food assistance for several years.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production |
- |
390 |
57 |
447 |
|
Normal Imports |
60 |
110 |
15 |
185 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
40 |
10 |
15 |
65 |
|
1999 Domestic Availability |
- |
210 |
53 |
263 |
|
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
350 |
53 |
403 |
|
1998 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
210 |
53 |
263 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
1999 Utilization |
100 |
350 |
103 |
553 |
|
Food Use |
94 |
280 |
93 |
467 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Non-food use |
- |
70 |
10 |
80 |
|
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Possible stock build up |
6 |
- |
- |
6 |
|
1999 Import Requirement |
100 |
140 |
50 |
290 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
40 |
110 |
- |
150 |
|
Food aid needs |
60 |
30 |
50 |
140 |
|
Current Aid Position |
||||
|
Food aid pledges |
17 |
2 |
6 |
24 |
|
of which: Delivered |
17 |
2 |
6 |
24 |
|
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
20 |
60 |
20 |
100 |
|
Indexes |
||||
|
1998 production as % of normal: |
90 |
|||
|
1999 import requirement as % of normal: |
157 |
|||
|
1999 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
215 |
