Large population displacement and serious disruption to relief and rehabilitation operations occurred following violence in Monrovia in May. Displaced people have sought refuge in Bushroad island, Kakata, Toteta, Ganta and Gbnarge. The security situation is now improving and food aid is being distributed in the city. Food prices in Monrovia are reported to be four times normal. However, fighting has spread into rural areas and violence is reported in the south-east and in the Bomi and Grand Cape Mount counties, again resulting in population displacement.
Food assistance in the rest of the country is limited as access by road remains highly insecure. On 10 June, a Joint Statement was issued by NGOs operating in Liberia, declaring that only minimal assistance would be provided as long as faction leaders do not demonstrate commitment to the "Humanitarian Assistance Guiding Principles". Food distribution is underway for an indicative target of 630 000 people. Plans for the repatriation of Liberian refugees have been put on hold. Cross border food supply resumed from C�te d�Ivoire to Nimba and Bong counties. Serious nutritional problems are reported in areas where the distribution of food aid is frequently hampered by security problems.
Following substantial rains in May and early June, precipitation decreased during the second and third dekads of June, resumed in the two first dekads of July, notably in the north, and stopped during the third. Very light rains occurred in the first half of August. Rice is growing satisfactorily in secure areas, as tools and agricultural inputs have been provided by rehabilitation programmes. However, the 1996 output will again remain limited and is not expected to recover from 1995.