ETHIOPIA* (2 June)
Prospects for the 2003 short "belg" season crops are mixed with some central highland areas receiving good rains while others, particularly the north-western part of the country, have received patchy rains or experienced prolonged dry spells. Normally, the belg season rains extend from February to May and the crop accounts for some 10 percent of total grain production but in some areas it provides most of the annual grain production.Furthermore, recent heavy rains in parts have caused severelocalized flooding and resulted in the displacement of a large number of people and destruction of productive assets and housing.Most affected were people in low-lying areas along the Shebelle River in Gode zone in Somali Region. Relief operations for the flood victims were dispatched as soon as the roads became passable.
Severe food shortages continue to be reported in several parts of the country affected by last year's drought, particularly in the Southern Nations Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR). The nutritional situation among children in these areas remains poor and calls for improved general and supplementary food distributions. Following a review of the food security situation in several key areas, the Government and UN Country Team have revised the food aid needs in 2003 from an earlier estimate of 1.44 million tonnes to 1.52 million tonnes. The number of people in need of assistance is now estimated at about 12.5 million in May and June and remains high in July at over 11 million, and through August and September at between 9 and 10 million; a mid-year belg assessment in late June may lead to a further adjustment of figures for those in need of food assistance up to the end of the year.In addition, non-food assistance, including seeds, water and animal health supplies, has been increased from US$75 million to US$ 81 million. In response, an Emergency Operation worth about US$ 205.5 million was jointly approved by FAO and WFP in March 2003 to assist 4.6 million small scale farmers and pastoralists, for a period of twelve months (April 2003 - March 2004). Furthermore, Government appeal for seeds in 2003 stood at 23 300 tonnes of cereals and 7 200 tonnes of pulses at a cost of about US$ 10 million. Although substantial pledges were made by several donors there is still a large gap that needs to be filled.