First significant rains started in early April and continued through September, and have been above the average. However, agriculture activities have been severely hampered, by an upsurge of civil strife. The country continues to depend on food assistance as domestic production remains far below requirement.
As a result of the persistent armed clashes, more than 130 000 internally displaced persons from the north, northwest, and central regions are currently living in camps in other parts of the country. WFP continues to provide food assistance to these people, in addition to more than 22 000 Sierra Leonean refugees still in the country. WFP is providing monthly food rations to over 166 000 people faced with critical food needs. While access has improved for those living in areas under Government control, the situation remains uncertain for those in contested areas where insecurity and violence continue to prevent provision of humanitarian assistance.
Recent reports indicate that 40 000 Liberians have fled to Sierra Leone, 117 000 to Guinea and some 75 000 to Côte d’Ivoire.