NAMIBIA (15 September)
The 2003 cereal output has officially been estimated at 102 000 tonnes, 38 percent above last year's poor crop. Normal precipitation in most areas of the country during the growing season aided crops and the regeneration of pastures.
However, in the Caprivi region, prolonged dry weather resulted in widespread crop failures. A report of the Government’s Emergency Management Unit estimated that 400 000 people are in need pf food aid across the country. A deficit of 7 300 tonnes of cereals is estimated for the Caprivi region alone, where the situation has been aggravated by recent floods. Food assistance is being distributed in the area by the government and international organizations.