ASIA/NEAR EAST: The recent earthquake in South Asia caused more than 50�000 deaths and destroyed homes and livelihoods of millions of people in Pakistan and India. In areas hit by the tsunami nine months ago, most of the displaced people are still depending on food aid. Recovery and reconstruction activities continue. In DPR Korea, an expected good harvest will ease the country�s need for food aid. Crop and food security prospects are poor in Laos, Nepal, and Timor-Leste due to bad weather. Cereal harvesting in Asian CIS countries is complete and production is slightly up on last year�s average level, owing mainly to favourable weather conditions. In Afghanistan, a bumper crop has been harvested.