GUATEMALA (18 September)
Intense seasonal rains were reported, particularly in the capital of Ciudad Guatemala and the surrounding areas in early September. Abundant rains were also reported in the department of Chiquimula in the east, and in San Marcos in the west, with some damage to crops. Harvesting of the 2003/04 first-season cereal crops, mainly maize, has been virtually completed, and a more-or-less average output has nevertheless been collected despite the adverse heavy rains of the past few weeks. Food assistance from the international community under WFP’s Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation 10212.0 has been recently initiated. The Programme should extend until February 2006 to benefit some 200 000 persons per year, in particular women and children. The assistance should help mitigate the disastrous effects of the economic shocks and recurrent natural disasters of recent years.