ETHIOPIA* (11 February)
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission which visited the country in late 2003 estimated total cereal and pulse production in 2003/04 at about 13.3 million tonnes, comprising 13.05 million tonnes from the meher harvest and a predicted 300 000 tonnes from the belg harvest in 2004. At this level, cereal and pulse production is about 46 percent above the 2002/03 post-harvest estimates and 11 percent above the average for the past five years. As a result, cereal imports in 2004 are estimated at about 210 000 tonnes, with commercial imports forecast at 50 000 tonnes and food aid in pipeline and pledges currently amounting to 160 000 tonnes.
Despite the bumper harvest, an estimated 7.2 million people will require food assistance, while 2.2 million more will require close monitoring. The population in need of assistance varies from month to month and numbers peak in mid-year. Relief food requirements for 2004 are estimated at about 980 000 tonnes, mainly for general ration distribution but also including food for supplementary rations and food for emergency school feeding. Part of the requirements could be met with cash provided directly to beneficiaries as "cash-for-relief" or "cash-for-work".
There are around 5 million people in Ethiopia who are chronically food insecure, and even in a good year they rely partially on food aid to meet their minimum food needs. The government, in conjunction with the international community, is developing a programme for meeting and ultimately alleviating the recurring needs of the food-insecure population.