FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/98 - CHINA (18 September)
Heavy rains since mid-June have caused extensive flooding in central, south-eastern and north-eastern parts of the country. The floods have killed at least 3 000 people, mostly in the heavily populated areas of central and southern China. About 240 million people have been directly affected. The extent of the damage so far is estimated in the region of US$36 billion.
Damage to crops has been extensive with about 22 million hectares affected and 4.8 million hectares totally destroyed. The summer grain harvest, which accounts for 20 to 25 percent of annual total grain output, is expected to fall by more than the official estimates of 11 percent from last year. Whether this will have a significant impact on the year�s production remains uncertain. Official sources expect increased area under the autumn crops to compensate for the fall in summer production. The yields of subsequent crops could also benefit from abundant residual soil moisture from the floods.
The Government has mobilised more than one million soldiers to support the implementation of an emergency relief programme and provided more than US$ 229 million worth of relief funds to the flood- affected areas. Sufficient stocks of grains are available for immediate food relief, reflecting consecutive years of bumper harvests.
On 17 September, an emergency operation was jointly approved by FAO and WFP to raise 247 214 tonnes of rice, which together with a commitment of 100 000 tonnes from the Government, will provide emergency food assistance for a total of 5.8 million people over four months (October 1998 January 1999).
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