Rains started in the south in March and became particularly abundant in the south and the centre in mid-April. They progressed northward and were widespread and above normal in May. From June, they decreased gradually in the south, but were regular and above normal in the north and the centre in July and August. The northeast registered heavy rains in late July and August while the south remained particularly dry. In the centre and north, soil moisture reserves are adequate and crop prospects are favourable.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory except in the extreme north. A joint FAO/WFP assessment mission in late May estimated food aid needs at 19 000 tonnes for 80 000 families affected by poor crops due to drought, flooding or pest attacks in the north and extreme north provinces. Cereal imports for domestic use during the 2001 marketing year are estimated at 300 000 tonnes, mostly wheat and rice.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (7 September)
Rains decreased during the first dekad of July, notably in the east. They increased significantly from the second dekad of July and remained widespread in August. Abundant and widespread rains were registered in late August and early September.
The food supply situation remains satisfactory. The cereal import requirement for the 2001 marketing year is estimated at 33 000 tonnes, mainly wheat.
CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF* (7 September)
Insecurity in the eastern parts of the country has worsened in recent weeks. A series of violent incidents near Bukavu, South Kivu province, have resulted in further loss of civilian lives and displacements of population. The number of internally displaced people (IDPs) as a result of the civil conflict, already estimated at 2 050 000 continues to increase. The nutritional and health situation of this population gives serious cause for concern. Less than half of the internally displaced people have direct access to relief assistance, which means that more than one million people are displaced with no kind of external assistance. Recent reports indicate that severe malnutrition rates among children under five have reached 26 percent in eastern parts of the country under rebel control. The food situation in large cities of western parts is also critical, particularly in Kinshasa and surrounding areas. In general, all the economic activities of the country have been affected by the conflict and it is estimated that more than one-third of the population, or 16 million people, have critical food needs as a result of prolonged displacement, isolation, lack of market outlets, severed food supply lines, price increases, and declining purchasing power. Recent assessment indicated a deterioration of the food situation in the Mbandaka area of Equateur province. While access to the displaced population in government-held areas has improved in recent months with partial implementation of the Lusaka Peace Accord, the retreat of foreign armies and strengthening of UN peachkeepers (MONUC), rebel-held areas remain inaccessible due to continuous violence.
After above-normal rains in late May, rainfall decreased gradually in June and July. The south was particularly dry in August and early September.
The overall food supply situation has improved. All areas are now accessible to humanitarian agencies. Most persons displaced by the civil war have returned to their homes. There are about 100 000 refugees from the Equator Province of DRC in northern areas, notably in Betou, near the border with the Central African Republic. There are also Rwandan/Burundian refugees and Angolan refugees. A WFP Emergency Operation assists 50 000 refugees from the DRC over a period of 6 months. Food assistance is also provided to some 120 000 persons in Brazzaville, Pointe Noire and other main towns.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA (7 September)
Following widespread and above-normal rains in May, rainfall decreased significantly in June. Dry conditions prevailed as of late August. The staple crops are sweet potatoes, cassava and plantains. The cereal import requirement for the 2001 marketing year is estimated at 10 000 tonnes of rice and wheat.
After regular rains in May, precipitation decreased significantly in June and July, particularly in the central and southern parts. Reduced rains were registered in late August and early September in the northeast. The main food crops are cassava and plantains but some maize is also produced (around 25 000 tonnes). The country imports commercially the bulk of its cereal requirement, estimated at around 87 000 tonnes in 2001.