This is the third issue in 1996 of a series of reports prepared by the FAO Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) on the food supply situation, cereal import and food aid requirements for all countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The report is designed to provide the latest analysis and information on the food situation in these countries to governments, international organizations and other institutions engaged in relief operations.
Part I focuses on the serious food supply difficulties emerging in parts of Somalia and Sudan. It draws attention to the deteriorating food supply situation in Liberia, where pockets of famine have developed in several areas. The report highlights the unstable crop production and food supply situation in the Great Lakes region, where the plight of over 2 million refugees and internally displaced persons remains a cause for serious concern. Attention is drawn to a substantial improvement in the food supply situation in southern Africa, reflecting an above-average 1996 harvest, which followed last year’s drought-affected crop. The report also reviews the crop prospects in the Sahelian countries of western Africa, where growing conditions are generally favourable so far.
Part II contains an assessment of crop prospects and the food supply situation by sub-region, giving the latest estimates of cereal imports and food aid requirements of all four sub-regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Part III presents the latest analysis and information on crop prospects and the food supply situation and outlook in each country. The information on food aid pledges, including triangular transactions and local purchases, and on expected arrivals, is based on data transmitted to the GIEWS as of late September 1996 by the following donors: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, EC, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States as well as the World Food Programme. For other donors, data are based on field reports from various sources (see Tables 7 and 8).
Since conditions can change rapidly, and published information may not always represent the most up-to-date basis for action, further enquiries or corrections should be directed to Mr. Abdur Rashid, Chief, Global Information and Early Warning Service (ESCG), FAO, Rome (Telex: 610181 FAO I, Fax: 039-6-5225-4495, E-mail INTERNET: [email protected]).