Rainfall was generally widespread and normal to above normal in July and August, favouring crop prospects.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. However, following food supply difficulties in northern areas affected by poor crops in 1998, WFP has planned an Emergency Operation to provide 9 500 tonnes of food to 660 000 affected persons in these areas.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (9 September)
Following reduced rainfall in early July, precipitation remained generally widespread and normal to above normal later in late July/August. Rains were particularly heavy in late July and in early August in the west. Harvest prospects are favourable.
The food supply situation is satisfactory. For the 1999 marketing year (January/December), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 34 000 tonnes, mainly wheat.
CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF* (9 September)
Seasonably dry conditions prevail in the south. In the centre and the north, rains were generally above average in July and August. Following a cease-fire by rebel groups on 31 August, the security situation should improve in the east. However, violations of the cease-fire are reported. Rwandan and Ugandan soldiers have started to withdraw from the rebel-held town of Kisangani in Orientale Province, where heavy fighting between Ugandan and Rwandan forces caused high civilian casualties in August. Prices of goods have increased significantly in Kisangani. Rates of malnutrition throughout Orientale Province and north Equateur are reported to be on the rise. Supplementary and therapeutic feeding centres in Kisangani are currently assisting some 1 700 malnourished children under five years, with the numbers requiring assistance increasing.
In South Kivu, a group of UN agencies and NGOs estimate that 250 000 people are at immediate risk of life threatening levels of malnutrition. The situation is due to drought, poor soil, erosion, an influx of refugees exacerbated by ongoing war in the region which caused the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. To address immediate needs, 15 000 tonnes of food are needed for distribution to displaced and local people, as well as 1 600 tonnes of seeds to allow planting for the main agricultural season this month.
Growing conditions are favourable reflecting heavy and widespread rains since June in central and northern parts. However, fighting which resumed in mid-May between Government forces and Ninja militia disrupted agriculture and marketing activities, thus seriously affecting the food supply situation, notably in Brazzaville. The security situation has improved in the Pool region over the past months but new clashes were reported in early September near Brazzaville.
Rainfall remained low during the season, except during the second dekad of August, when rains were heavy and widespread. The staple crops are sweet potatoes, cassava and plantains. The 1999 cereal import requirement is estimated at 9 000 tonnes. Food aid requirement is estimated at 1 000 tonnes of wheat and rice.
The main foodcrops are cassava and plantains but some maize is also produced (around 25 000 tonnes). The country commercially imports the bulk of its cereal requirement, estimated at around 82 000 tonnes in 1999. Around 10 000 refugees fled Congo-Brazzaville and are reported on temporary sites or in Libreville.
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