BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Area: 96 000 sq.km
Climate: Southern half tropical wet, northern half tropical wet-dry; one rainy season: March- November
Population: 2.42 million (1995 estimate) (about 741 000 Liberian refugees in neighbouring
countries. G.N.P. per caput: n.a.
Specific characteristics of the country: Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
Logistics: Ports and roads adequate
Major foodcrops: Rice, roots and tubers, oils
Marketing year: January/December; Lean season: July-August
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: 48 percent
CURRENT SITUATION
A cease fire was declared throughout Liberia on 18 August but fighting has continued in several regions, notably in the Greenville area. However, in late August, clashes reportedly stopped and roadblocks were removed on several main roads. The disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process is scheduled to begin in late November. The security situation is improving and food aid is being distributed in Monrovia and between Monrovia and Gbarnga. A severe cholera outbreak is also reported in Monrovia and education and water sanitation programs are underway to control it. As a result of continuous fighting in the Bomi region, no food aid could be delivered during July and August. Following the cease fire, some roads towards the centre of the country have recently been reopened and are considered as secure. In early September, the first humanitarian convoy reached Tubmanburg where very severe malnutrition is reported. The situation might be similar in other western counties, as well as in counties in the south-east where no assistance can be provided due to unabated fighting. Food distribution is underway for an indicative target of 630 000 people. Plans for the repatriation of Liberian refugees from neighbouring countries have been put on hold. Cross border food supply resumed from Côte d’Ivoire to Nimba and Bong counties.
Following substantial rains in early July, precipitation decreased in late July and early August, resumed during the second and third dekads of August and in early September, notably in the north. Rice is growing satisfactorily in secure areas, as tools and agricultural inputs have been provided by rehabilitation programmes. However, in many areas, population displacements and fighting during the start of the growing season significantly hampered food production. The 1996 output will again remain limited and is not expected to recover from 1995 and the food supply position will remain very tight in 1996/1997. A Crop and Food Supply assessment Mission is planned in November to assess the 1996 harvest prospects and estimate imports and food aid needs during 1997. For the 1996 marketing year, cereal imports reported so far amount to 240 000 tons, mostly as food aid.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | - | 88 | 1 | 89 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 10 | 150 | 15 | 175 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 5 | 100 | 15 | 120 |
| 1996 Domestic availability | 13 | 42 | 2 | 57 |
| 1995 Production | - | 37 | 1 | 38 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 13 | 5 | 1 | 19 |
| 1996 Utilization | 33 | 222 | 32 | 287 |
| Food use | 31 | 219 | 31 | 281 |
| Non-food use | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| 1996 Import Requirement | 20 | 180 | 30 | 230 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 8 | 20 | - | 28 |
| Food aid needs | 12 | 160 | 30 | 202 |
| of which: Exceptional | - | - | 30 | 30 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 131 | 2 | 144 | 277 |
| of which: Delivered | 95 | - | 139 | 234 |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 7 | 73 | 8 | 88 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1995 production as % of normal: | 43 | |||
| 1996 import requirement as % of normal: | 131 | |||
| 1996 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): | 168 | |||