FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 06/01 - SIERRA LEONE* (4 June)
Planting of the rice crop is underway with the onset of rains in mid-April. Rice production should increase this year reflecting increased planted areas by returning farmers and improved conditions for distribution of inputs.
As a result of low food production in 2000 and transport problems, the food supply situation will remain tight in 2001.
WFP plans to distribute more than 50 000 tonnes of food aid to an estimated 544 000 beneficiaries during 2001, including IDPs, recent returnees from Guinea and 200 000 beneficiaries of special programmes for vulnerable groups such as schooling and malnourished children. NGOs also plan to distribute around 37 000 tonnes during 2001. The Government has launched a resettlement programme in Freetown, Port Loko, Kenema and Pejehun districts, which have been declared safe. A Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme also started in May for ex-combatants who return their arms. Between 58 000 and 60 000 Sierra Leonean refugees have recently returned following fighting in Guinea, 2 000 to 2 500 are returning to Sierra Leone each week.