Rains in June, which resulted in floods in the Juba Valley, improved the outlook for the 1996 main "Gu" crop season which is about to start. Crops in the main southern growing areas of Bay/Bakool, Gedo and Shabelle are reported in good condition. However, due to a lack of plant protection inputs, the crop could be affected by quelea bird infestation before harvest. Despite satisfactory prospects, production is anticipated to be reduced in the Juba Valley region, which was affected by dry weather at the beginning of the season and later by floods, and in Hiran.
With the depletion of households stocks, the food situation has deteriorated in several areas of the country. The situation is particularly serious in the Lower Juba region, where food shortages following a poor harvest last year, increased insecurity and poor prospects for this year "Gu" crops, resulted in massive displacement of population to Kismayo and other areas. The security situation continues to deteriorate. Increased inter-clan fighting in Mogadishu by the end of June resulted in new population displacement and the suspension of all humanitarian operations.