Harvesting of the 1996 second season cereal crops is well underway. The output is anticipated to be below normal reflecting insufficient and poorly distributed rains during the season in eastern parts of the country. The first “long rains” season cereal crop, harvested earlier in the year, was lower than anticipated and, as a result, the country’s maize export surplus will be limited in 1996/97. Prices of food staples, beans and cassava, which had increased to record high during November, declined in December with the beginning of the harvest, but remain above their level of the previous year. In the northern districts of Gulu, Moyo and Kitgum, representing over one-third of the country’s territory) persistent civil strife resulted in reduced plantings of the 1996 second season. Intensified fighting in December, mainly around Gulu town, have resulted in massive displacement of local population and Sudanese refugees. These population are in precarious food and health situation, as they are unable to gather their crops, normally harvested from December, due to the insecurity. Market prices in the region have more than doubled their level of December 1996, while malnutrition is reported to be widespread in the area.