Rains started in the south in March. They became particularly abundant in the south and centre in April, permitting land preparation and first plantings.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Cereal imports (including re-exports) in the 2002 marketing year are estimated at 310 000 tonnes.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (3 June)
Precipitation has been generally widespread and abundant since March, permitting land preparation and first plantings.
Following an above-average harvest in 2001, the food supply situation is satisfactory. With an improvement of the overall security situation, a nationwide curfew was lifted in mid-May nearly one year after its imposition. In late May, WFP began an emergency operation to provide food to some 6 000 IDPs displaced by armed conflict in the northern part of the country.
CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF * (5 June)
Agricultural activities continue to be disrupted by the persistent civil conflict, particularly in the eastern Kivu provinces. In spite of adequate rains, planting of the 2002 second season crops has been negatively affected by intensification of fighting in these areas in the past months, particularly in the Hauts Plateaux of South Kivu Province. Recent reports indicate that about 64 percent of the population of eastern DRC are undernourished. This is where most of the 2.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) are located. Overall, it is estimated that 16 million people, or 33 percent of the DRC population face critical food needs as a result of prolonged displacement. While access to the vulnerable population has improved in Government-controlled areas due to the simplification of procedures for international humanitarian agencies, the situation remains desperate in the Kivu provinces and northern Katanga, where insecurity and violence continue to hamper provision of humanitarian assistance.
A resurgence of fighting in the Pool region (surrounding the capital Brazzaville) at the end of March has led to new population displacements. About 50 000 IDPs have been reported in the region. Some areas have been cut off from humanitarian aid since late March. In late May WFP has started assisting 20 000 IDPs, amidst growing concern about tens of thousands more people trapped in the conflict areas inaccessible to aid agencies.
Cereal imports for the 2002 marketing year are estimated at 125 000 tonnes, mostly wheat and rice.
Precipitation has been widespread and abundant since March. The staple crops are sweet potatoes, cassava and plantains. Cereal import requirement for 2002 is estimated at 15 000 tonnes (10 000 tonnes of wheat and 5 000 tonnes of rice).
Precipitation has been widespread and abundant since March. The main foodcrops are cassava and plantains but some maize is also produced (around 31 000 tonnes). The country imports commercially the bulk of its cereal requirement, estimated at around 88 000 tonnes for 2002.
SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE (25 April)
The staple foodcrops are roots, plantains and tubers. The cereal import requirement in 2002 is estimated at 12 000 tonnes.