GUATEMALA (30 May)
With the arrival of the rainy season, heavy rains are reported in various parts of the country, particularly in the central and southern coastal areas. Emergency measures are being adopted by the government, especially in the vicinity of river basins in Escuintla, Suchitepéquez, Retalhuleu, Santa Rosa and some others, in anticipation of more heavy rains and likely flooding currently forecast. Planting of the 2003/04 coarse grain crops, principally maize, has started and average plantings of some 610 000 hectares are forecast. Production is not enough to meet domestic demand for maize and imports of about 620 000 tonnes are forecast in marketing year 2003/04 (July/June), which compares to about 590 000 tonnes in marketing year 2002/03 (July/June). Food assistance is still provided to unemployed coffee workers, affected by the international price crisis which for three years has stricken the coffee sector. Cases of children suffering from acute malnutrition are reported. Assistance from the World Food Programme has been provided to some 25 000 children, as well as their families between February 2002 and March 2003. In the last few weeks, particular assistance has been given to malnourished children in some municipalities in the departments of Chiquimula and Alta Verapaz.