FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 04/01 - SUDAN* (27 March)
Prospects for the 2001 wheat crop, now being harvested, are promising, but total cereal production in 2000, estimated at 3.3 million tonnes, is about 23 percent below the previous five years’ average, due to a below-average coarse grain harvest late last year following late rains and prolonged dry spells.
Serious food shortages have emerged in several parts of the country due to the reduced harvests and depletion of stocks, leading to a sharp rise in cereal prices. The population most affected by the current poor season are found mainly in Darfur, Kordofan, North Bahr el Ghazal, Bahr el Jebel, East Equatoria, Jonglei, Juba and Butana province in Gezira State. About 600 000 of the affected people are in dire need of food assistance. In addition, some 2.4 million people affected by the ongoing civil strife in the south will need continued assistance. With few resources left and coping mechanisms stretched to the limit, farmers and other vulnerable groups have already started to migrate in search of work and food. Consumption of seed grains will reduce their productive capacity and ability to sustain themselves in the coming agricultural season. A timely and targeted intervention is essential to prevent further human suffering.
The erratic rainfall also had a devastating effect on range vegetation, as well as on the availability of feed from grain and crop residues, especially in rainfed areas. The drastic fall in feed is expected to lead to widespread undernutrition in livestock. Market supply of livestock has increased substantially, depressing prices and thus household incomes.
A revised Emergency Operation was jointly approved in January 2001 by FAO and WFP for food assistance to 2.4 million people affected by war, drought and floods, worth an additional US$50.2 million for a period of 4 months.
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