Hurricane rains and flooding in late October worsened prospects for paddy, food and cash crops. Crops were particularly affected in the provinces of Cienfuegos, Villa Clara and Sancti Spiritus, where severe damage to housing and infrastructure is also reported. Official assessment of losses indicate that about 10 000 hectares of paddy, the main crop, currently being harvested, were seriously affected. Production is expected to further decline to a low 80 000 tons. The sugar cane crop, a major foreign exchange earner, was also damaged but latest official forecasts indicate that production target for 1996/97 may still be reached. The overall food situation is likely to worsen in the next few months. At the request of the Government, international assistance is being provided in terms of food supplies for the next 5 months, building materials, medicines and basic hygiene equipment.