LIBERIA* (30 May)
Persistent armed clashes that restrict access to most agricultural areas and lead to mass population displacement are a major cause of food insecurity in the country. The current agricultural season is being disrupted by renewed fighting, pointing to a further drop in rice production this year. Some 200 000 internally displaced persons from the north, northwest, and central regions are living in camps in other parts of the country, while thousands have fled into Sierra Leone following an upsurge of civil strife since February. At least 10 000 people have fled into Côte d'Ivoire to escape fighting around the Liberian port town of Harper, Maryland County, which fell to rebels in mid-May. WFP is providing food assistance to 182 347 people in the country.