INTRODUCTION

This is the second issue in 1997 of a series of reports prepared by the FAO Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) on the food supply situation, cereal import and food aid requirements for all countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The report is designed to provide the latest analysis and information on the food situation in these countries to governments, international organizations and other institutions engaged in relief operations.

Part I focuses on the grave food supply situation facing Rwandan refugees in eastern Zaire, and the uncertain food outlook elsewhere in the Great Lakes Region. It also draws attention to the tightening food supplies in eastern Africa, particularly in Kenya, Eritrea, Somalia, Tanzania and parts of Uganda, and the continuing food difficulties in Liberia and Sierra Leone. It highlights the localized food shortages in the Sahelian countries of Chad, Mauritania and Niger, and points to a favourable outlook for southern Africa.

Part II contains an assessment of crop prospects and the food supply situation by sub-region, giving the latest estimates of cereal imports and food aid requirements of all four sub-regions of sub-Saharan Africa.

Part III presents the latest analysis and information on crop prospects and the food supply situation and outlook in each country. The information on food aid pledges, including triangular transactions and local purchases, and on expected arrivals, is based on data transmitted to the GIEWS as of late April 1997 by the following donors: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, EC, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States as well as the World Food Programme. For other donors, data are based on field reports from various sources (see Tables 7 and 8).