Prospects for the 1998 crops are generally unfavourable, due to the prolonged drought which has seriously affected many parts of the country. Several areas have had no significant rainfall since May/June and some have had none the whole year. Food production in 1997 is conservatively estimated to decline by 50 percent from the previous year level as a result of unfavourable weather conditions. The food situation remains very tight in the country where about 1.2 million people are critically affected. Relief assistance is urgently required.

On 11 December 1997, the United Nations launched an Appeal for international assistance in the amount of US$4.186 million to cover emergency relief needs in the sectors of emergency management, rural water supply, health, nutrition and agriculture, during a period of up to 12 months. In addition to the Appeal, the government has estimated that US$4.12 million per month will be required for food relief and logistics to assist the affected population.