Unusually high temperatures and prolonged dry conditions continue to affect the country, particularly the Pacific coastal provinces. Precipitation, mostly on the Atlantic coast, has been irregular and ill distributed. Prospects are extremely uncertain for planting of the 1998 paddy and maize crops to be started from April, as latest forecasts point out to drier than normal weather in the weeks ahead. About 100 000 tonnes of rice, the main cereal, are intended to be imported in 1998 to help meet the deficit in last year’s production. Maize output gathered in 1997 was also a belowaverage 90 000 tonnes. The livestock sector was severely affected in 1997 and is likely to continue being affected in 1998 because of the accumulated soil moisture deficits. Only irrigated crops, such as bananas, were spared the enormous damage caused by drought. Assistance in terms of emergency food distribution to the affected population, amounting to about 80 000 persons, and the rehabilitation of agricultural activities have been requested from the international community. Several emergency measures have also been adopted by the Government to help mitigate the impact of El Niño.