The harvesting of 1996 wheat and barley is over and aggregate output, estimated at 67 000 tons, is slightly below-normal. Domestic cereal production in normal years covers about 10 percent of total requirement and more than 750 000 tons of cereals, mostly wheat, have to be imported.
Imports of cereals in 1996/97 (July/June) is forecast at some 0.76 million tons, an increase of about 5 000 tons compared with the previous year.
While the emergency phase resulting from the events in early April in southern areas is over, humanitarian assistance is still needed by thousands of internally displaced people. Lack of adequate water supply continues to affect several villages.
An assessment of the damage to the agricultural sector confirms that farmers sustained considerable losses in affected areas. This calls for a need for the identification and formulation of a socio-economic rehabilitation programme in southern areas.
The response to the United Nations Flash Appeal for internally displaced persons was satisfactory. Pledges total more than U.S.$ 13 million.