This is the first of three annual issues of this report prepared by the FAO Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) on the food supply situation and 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 attention on the impact of the mid-season dry spell and the recent heavy rains and floods on the crop and food situation in southern Africa. It also stresses the continuing food emergency in the Horn of Africa, where the food supply situation remains serious, despite recent beneficial rains. In addition, it highlights the food supply difficulties in the Great Lakes region, as well as in Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea where international food assistance continues to be needed.
Part II contains an assessment of crop prospects and the food supply situation by sub-region, giving the latest estimates of cereal import 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 GIEWS as of late March 2001 by the following donors: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, EC, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, 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 6 and 7).
