This is the first issue in 2002 of this quarterly report 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 humanitarian operations.
Part I focuses on the extremely tight food supply situation in most countries of southern Africa, particularly in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe as well as Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and southern provinces of Mozambique, due to a sharp decline in the 2001 maize production, the main staple in the sub-region. It highlights the continuing need for assistance in most pastoral areas of the Horn of Africa despite the overall improved food situation in the sub-region, as well as the precarious food situation in parts of the Great Lakes region, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, mainly due to civil strife. The report also draws attention to the continuing need for food assistance in Angola, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone due to population displacements, refugees and insecurity.
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, triangular transactions and local purchases, and on expected arrivals, is based on data transmitted to GIEWS as of late March 2002 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.
