Rainfall was widespread and abundant during the months of September and October, stopped in early November and remained very limited in mid and late November. Seasonably dry conditions prevailed in December. Harvest of millet and sorghum is almost finished in the north. In the west and the centre, the second maize crop is developing satisfactorily.
Cereal prices are stable and similar to last year's level. Despite reduced cumulative rainfall compared to last year, favourable growing conditions prevailed and the cereal output is estimated at about 1 300 tons. The cereal import requirement for 1996/97 (July/June) is estimated at 250 000 tons of wheat and rice.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (16 December)
Rainfall was widespread and abundant in September and October over the entire country, decreased in late October in the north and stopped in November over the entire country, marking the end of the rainy season. Millet and sorghum have been harvested while the harvest of rice and the second maize crop is underway.
For the 1996/97 marketing year (September/August), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 34 000 tons, mainly wheat and rice. There are 27 000 assisted Sudanese refugees in the country. Approximately 5 000 Chadians also receive food assistance. Their nutritional status is reported to be adequate.
Following dry conditions in July and August, except in the extreme north, precipitation increased and moved southwards in September and was abundant over the entire country in late October and November. The main maize crop is heading/maturing, while cassava and yams
are being harvested.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Staple foodcrops are roots, tubers and plantains, production of which is about 650 000 tons, and markets are well supplied with these crops. Cereal production is estimated at some 27 000 tons, mainly maize. For the 1996/97 marketing year (July/June), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 98 000 tons, mostly wheat, including a structural food aid requirement of 2 000 tons.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA (12 December)
Following dry conditions in July and August, rains started and remained widespread in September, October and November. The staple foodcrops are sweet potatoes, cassava and plantains and the country annually imports some 11 000 tons of wheat and rice, half of which is in the form of food aid.
Rains started in late August in the extreme north and in September over the north and the east. They moved from the north-east towards the south-west in October, allowing the planting of the main maize crop which is flowering/heading. The staple foodcrops are cassava and plantains, production of which is estimated at about 330 000 tons. Production of cereals in 1996, mainly maize is estimated at around 25 000 tons. The country needs to import the bulk of its wheat and rice requirement which is estimated at 62 000 tons. No food aid is necessary.
Precipitation was abundant over the north in October, and over the whole country (except in the extreme south-east) in November. Harvesting of the main maize crop is complete in northern areas and underway in central areas. Rice is being planted in the south.
However, the security conditions in the region of Lubutu and Kisangani of eastern Zaire, continue to deteriorate. Advances by the insurgents leading Rwandan refugees who have settled in the region and local Zairians to flee, and there are reports of growing tension between these refugees and the local population. The number of refugees is estimated by UNHCR at 330 000 persons, while internally displaced are estimated at 170 000 to 250 000. Food aid distributions are underway.
On 4 December, representatives from WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF, DHA, MSF, ICRC and IFRC, travelled by road to Uvira to evaluate humanitarian needs in the region. Life appeared to be returning to normal, with markets and shops functioning.
There are also an estimated 50 000 assisted and 119 000 unassisted Angolan refugees in southern Zaire. Most of the unassisted population is expected to spontaneously return to Angola, following the improvement of the situation. Around 94 000 Sudanese and 12 000 Ugandan refugees also remain in Zaire. In the Kasa� region, approximately 600 000 displaced people, who arrived in 1992, fleeing ethnic violence in the Shaba region are present. Many of them are self sufficient, except in Mwene-Ditu, where their nutritional situation is reported to be critical.