Poor secondary “belg” season rains and erratic main “meher” rainy season have severely affected agricultural production in several parts of the country. Millions of people are now estimated to be in need of urgent food assistance. In response to this alarming situation the Government recently renewed its appeal to the international community for food assistance to about 6 million people for October-December 2002, while the early forecast for 2003 needs is expected to be considerably higher. Of immediate concern are Afar and Kereyu pastoralists in the east and north-eastern parts of the country. Loss of large numbers of livestock and unusual migrations in search of water and pasture are reported. Other areas of concern include lowlands of Bale and Hararghe in Oromia Region, and Shinile, Fik, Dagahbour and Jijiga Zones in Somali Region. A much wider part of the country is expected to be affected by food shortages in 2003.
The sharp fall in grain prices following the bumper 2001 main “meher” harvest is now reversed with sharp rises reported in parts in expectation of lower production. An Emergency Operation jointly approved by FAO and WFP for food assistance to small-scale farmers and drought-affected pastoralists for a period of 12 months (1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003) is being increased in scale to cover the additional requirements. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is currently in the country to assess the meher production and estimate food assistance requirements in 2003.