LESOTHO (18 September)
Crop failure of the secondary winter crop has exacerbated the tight food supply situation in the country following a reduced 2003 main season cereal crop, which was, however, well above the poor harvest level of last year. The southern districts – Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek, Quthing and Qacha’s Nek – have been hardest hit by the winter drought. WFP is distributing food aid to the 27 402 most affected persons in the population. In addition, the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission estimated in April that some 32 000 tonnes of cereal food aid was needed to assist 270 000 people who would be affected by the poor harvest during the main season as well as those with HIV/AIDS. Commercial imports in 2003/04 (April/March) are projected at 288 700 tonnes.
Prospects for the 2004 main-season cereal crops, to be planted beginning in October, are uncertain, as the government has announced that assistance in the form of subsidized agricultural inputs will not be provided this year.