The food situation in Somalia gives cause for serious concern. A poor harvest, one of the lowest in the last seven years, has been gathered during the main cropping season of 2001. Late and erratic rainfall was the main cause of the poor harvest. A recovery in production in the previous two cropping seasons had eased the tight food supply situation, but the poor harvest this "Gu" season has offset the temporary respite and put under pressure the already weakened coping mechanisms following a succession of droughts earlier and the long running civil strife, which has flared up in the south in recent weeks. Furthermore, the continuing ban on livestock imports from eastern Africa by countries along the Arabian Peninsula on account of Rift Valley Fever has sharply reduced foreign exchange earnings and severely curtailed the country's import capacity. This has been exacerbated by the recent closure of the Al-Barakaat money transfer company which channelled millions of dollars of remittances to the country from Somalis abroad. In addition, recent floods in parts have caused localised population displacements. Increasing malnutrition and population movements in search of food and work are reported. It is estimated that some 800 000 people face serious food shortages and will require about 70 000 tonnes of emergency food assistance until the next "Gu" season harvest in August 2002. Of particular concern are some 300 000 vulnerable people, particularly in Gedo Region but also in Hiran, Bay and Bakool Regions.
Elsewhere in eastern Africa, the food supply situation has markedly improved compared to last year. In Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, good harvests have been realised or are in prospect, reflecting favourable weather conditions. However, pastoral regions of Ethiopia and Kenya continue to face food difficulties due to successive poor rains and a large number of people depend on food assistance. In Eritrea, despite improved prospects, food difficulties are still being experienced by people displaced during the conflict with neighbouring Ethiopia and those affected by drought earlier.
In the Great Lakes Region, the food situation and outlook remain precarious in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to persistent insecurity and population displacements, notwithstanding favourable crop growing conditions. Over 2.5 million internally displaced people (IDPs) are in dire need of food relief but insecurity hampers distribution of humanitarian assistance. The nutrition and health situation of the IDPs remains serious with alarming rates of child malnutrition being reported. Elsewhere in the region, the food supply situation has improved considerably in Burundi and Rwanda due to substantial increases in 2001 first and second season food production.
In southern Africa, the main cropping season has started with generally favourable weather conditions. However, the food supply situation in the sub-region is tight and localised food shortages are being reported even in countries where the overall cereal production increased this year. In Angola, food assistance is needed for 1.34 million internally displaced and vulnerable people. Large orders of maize imports have been announced by Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe where stocks have been depleted and prices have increased sharply. In Mozambique, despite a good harvest, food assistance will be needed for about 100 000 people in southern provinces affected by dry weather. In Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland, where cereal production was poor, food difficulties are anticipated for many households. By contrast, in Madagascar, the overall food supply situation has improved following a bumper paddy harvest and large carryover stocks.
In western Africa, bumper cereal crops have been harvested in the Sahel, reflecting generally favourable growing conditions. This will allow replenishment of farmers' and government stocks. Record harvests are estimated for Burkina Faso, The Gambia and Niger, while above average crops are estimated for Chad, Mali and Senegal. However, prospects are less favourable in Cape Verde, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau as compared to last year. In the coastal countries, the food supply situation remains tight in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone due to the impact of recent civil conflicts.
Sub-Saharan Africa's cereal import requirements in 2002 are expected to decrease from 2001, reflecting favourable harvests in eastern Africa and the Sahel in western Africa which offset reduced production in southern Africa.
