UGANDA (28 February)
Harvesting of the 2002 second season crop is complete and maize production is expected to decline compared to last year due to reduced acreage. The output of the main season crop, harvested earlier in the year was below average and aggregate cereal production in 2002 is forecast to be 12 percent below the previous five years average.
Despite a stable food supply situation nationally, the displacement of a large number of people in northern districts due to escalation of conflict coupled with drought induced crop failures in parts have aggravated the food difficulties. About 800 000 displaced persons in Northern Uganda can not harvest the season's crop as result of the escalating insecurity, that could also affect land preparation and planting for the next season beginning March/April 2003. In the drought-prone north-eastern Karamoja region, effects of the mild El-Nino resulted in failure of the rains at critical periods in the development of the cereal crop. A below-average cereal production was forecast leading to an extended 'hunger period' from January to June 2003, assuming a normal/near normal season. It is estimated that about 350 000 persons will be affected and will require food aid intervention. For 2003, WFP will require 210 000 tonnes of food commodities to meet the combined needs of displaced and drought-affected people, including 140 400 refugees currently assisted in-country. Nearly 1.5 million people are currently assisted by WFP in several regions of the country.