Africa report 05/96 Individual countries

ZAIRE

Area:	2 267 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet climate in the central basin, tropical wet-dry in the extreme north and the south
Population:	43.94 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: n.a.
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; tropical country with access to sea
Logistics:	Roads inadequate
Major foodcrops:	Roots and tubers, coarse grains, fruit
Marketing year:	January/December; Lean season: October (north), November-December (south)
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	15 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

The country has received abundant rainfall since the beginning of the year. In the north, the second maize crop is being planted while satisfactory growth is reported from central and southern areas. The harvest of the first maize crop in the south has been completed and output is about normal.In February 1996, the number of Rwandan refugees receiving food assistance was estimated at 1 200 000. Very limited repatriation of refugees continues in Goma and Bukavu camps. In late February, the government decided to administratively close two camps, one near Goma and the other in the Bukavu area and stop all non-essential activities such as school, trading, and training. All other activities, however, such as health, water supply, food aid distribution, are continuing. The security situation remains tense in Uvira, Bukavu and Goma camps, made worse by tensions in the army. It is also becoming very tense in the Masisi (north Kivu) region, where ethnic violence occurred involving soldiers. It resulted in hundreds of deaths and an increase in the number of people seeking asylum in Goma or fleeing to Rwanda. In other regions, food aid or other types of assistance are also targeted for 50 000 Sudanese, 41 000 Angolan and 14 000 Ugandan refugees.The food supply situation remains tight in urban areas and in the Kivu region. Inflation decreased from 6000 percent in 1994 to about 540 percent in 1995 but unemployment and economic difficulties in a tense political climate are severely affecting the population. Agriculture remains the only growth sector. Despite high production potential, a substantial part of cereal consumption is imported due to lack of transport and marketing infrastructure between rural and urban areas.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1996 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal production	17	274	1 250	1 541
Normal imports (incl. re-exports)	140	35	20	195
of which: Structural food aid	5	2	20	27
1995 Production	20	290	1 330	1 640
1996 Utilization	160	330	1 400	1 890
Food use	148	311	1 092	1 551
of which: Local purchase requirement	(-)	(-)	(8)	(8)
Non-food use	7	17	308	332
Exports	-	2	-	2
Possible stock build-up	5	-	-	5
1996 Import Requirement	140	40	70	250
Anticipated commercial imports	135	38	-	173
Food aid needs (excluding Rwanda refugee needs)	5	2	70	77
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	7	1	14	22
of which: Delivered	-	-	5	5
Donor-financed local purchases	-	-	8	8
Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year)	4	7	22	33
Indexes
1995 production as % of normal:				106
1996 import requirement as % of normal:				128
1996 food aid requirement as % of normal (excluding Rwandan refugee needs):				285

FAO/GIEWS - April 1996