CAPE VERDE (28 February)
Due to a late start of the rainy season which delayed plantings, and subsequent erratic precipitation, the conditions of the maize crop, the only cereal grown, have been poor in most islands.
A joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission that visited the country in October estimated 2002 maize production at some 5 000 tonnes mostly produced in Santiago Island (54 percent) and Fogo Island (35 percent). This level of production is only one fourth of 2001 output and similar to the poor crops in 1997 and 1998. The Mission estimated cereal import requirements for the marketing year 2002/03 at 108 518 tonnes. Taking into account an anticipated commercial cereal import of 33 250 tonnes and 37 300 tonnes of food aid pledges, the total uncovered deficit for the year is about 37 900 tonnes. Although the country imports the bulk of its consumption requirement also in a year of normal production, the rural population, particularly in the semi-arid zones, could be severely affected. The Government has launched an international appeal for assistance.
In response to this and following the poor cereal harvest forecast for the western part of the Sahel, an Emergency Operation (EMOP) was launched by FAO and WFP on 16 December 2002 for Cape Verde, the Gambia, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal. However, very few pledges have been received to date. A joint FAO/CILSS follow-up mission that visited the country recently observed that the Government has already launched its FAIMO labour-intensive infrastructural programmes funded from food aid counterpart funds. The FAIMO programmes improve access of poor people to food through the creation of thousands of jobs. However, these programmes are under-funded as a result of poor donor response to the Government's appeal.