FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/98 - CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (3

CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC* (16 September)

Since the beginning of August, the country has again been plunged into civil strife, barely a year after the insurgency that toppled the former government. The most affected parts of the country are the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, and the south-western part stretching from the estuary of the Congo river to the capital, Kinshasa. This latter part is now back in government hands after brief occupation by the rebels. Emergency food aid has been airlifted to Kinshasa from Pointe Noire and shipped across the Congo river from Brazzaville in neighbouring Congo.

The eastern part faces a potential humanitarian crisis should the fighting escalate. Season A is about to start in the Great Lakes region; intensified conflict will hamper farming activities and result in severe food shortages in the coming months. Moreover, many farming households were unable to take full advantage of the favourable weather conditions during the just-ended season B largely due to lack of inputs. Largescale population movements can also be expected in search of both food and safety, both within DRC and to neighbouring countries. Already, reports indicate that refugees from DRC are entering Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania.

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