UGANDA (1 May)
Prospects for the 2004 main season cereal crops are generally favourable. Normal to above normal rains were experienced from late March in many parts of the country, notwithstanding reports of two to three weeks delay in the start of the season.
Eastern and northern regions of the country remain areas of major concern due to insecurity. In northern Uganda, the internally displaced are estimated at more than 1.2 million people. Access to water, sanitation and health services remains inadequate. Limited access to land in the north is a key impediment to crop production and as a result IDPs rely on food aid for a large portion of their dietary requirements. In eastern Uganda (Teso), despite a relative lull in insecurity, some 330 000 people remain displaced.
In order to meet the food needs of an estimated 2.2 million people including 1.6 million IDPs and other vulnerable people, WFP requires 24 600 tonnes of food commodities per month. Between May and December 2004, the agency projects a shortfall of 106 000 tonnes of food, for which urgent and generous contributions are sought.
Livestock in much of the country have adequate access to drinking water and pasture. In drought-prone Karamoja, most cattle have moved back closer to kraals following the onset of the rains there. Household food stocks are reported adequate while cereal prices have remained stable over the past four months.