FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/01 - SIERRA LEONE* (7 September)

After limited rains in March, precipitation progressed from the east and reached the west in mid-April. Rains increased during the last two dekads of May and the first dekad of June. The second and last dekads of June received below average rains. They improved in early July, decreased in midJuly and picked up in late July. They decreased significantly during the second dekad of August but became widespread and above normal in the centre and the north in late August. Rice production is expected to exceed last year’s level reflecting increased plantings by returning farmers and improved conditions for distribution of inputs.

The food supply situation remains tight. About 400 000 IDP's and returnees are present in various camps but mostly in the main towns and in Tonkili and Port Loko districts. The improvement of the security situation facilitated access to vulnerable populations. WFP plans to distribute more than 50 000 tonnes of food to an estimated 544 000 people during 2001. NGOs plan also to distribute around 37 000 tonnes in the same period. The Government has launched a resettlement programme in Freetown, Port Loko, Kenema, and Pejehun districts.