First rains were registered in the south-west and centre- south in late April. They remained limited in the south-west in early and mid-May and progressed to the west in late May. During the first dekad of June, rains increased in the central and south-western parts. In the east, seasonably dry conditions prevail and land preparation has started. Planting will start following the onset of regular rains.
There was an unconfirmed report of isolated Desert Locust solitary adults in Tamesna during May. If confirmed, these locusts are expected to persist and may be supplemented by other adults and perhaps a few small groups coming from the Red Sea area. However, numbers are likely to remain low. Small scale egg laying could occur with the onset of the rains; otherwise, any incoming adults are likely to continue moving westwards.
Despite an above-average harvest in 1996, the food supply situation is anticipated to remain tight before the next harvest in several areas which gathered poor crops in 1996, some for the second successive year. The National Early Warning System (SAPR) estimates that the nine arrondissements of Ouallam, Tahoua, Tanout, Tchintabaraden, N�Guigmi, Arlit, Tchirozerine, Bilma and Agadez commune are particularly vulnerable. Substantial population movements have notably been reported in Tanout area, in Zinder department. Twenty four other arrondissements are also classified as moderately vulnerable and need to be monitored closely. Cereal prices are much higher than last year at the same period and shortages have occurred. Imports from northern Nigeria are also lower than usual due to limited cereal availability.
In late February, an assessment mission visited the vulnerable areas of Maradi, Tanout and Zinder departments and confirmed the tight food supply and nutritional situation. Migrations of entire families had increased. Remaining families were consuming wild food and selling small livestock or borrowing against future harvest. The situation varies greatly in the villages but assistance is most urgently needed in the arrondissement of Tanout and neighbouring areas of Dakoro arrondissement. Some assistance is also needed in urban areas where migrants from affected areas have concentrated, notably in Zinder. In the Tanout and Northern Mirria area, WFP is expanding its ongoing development projects to provide food to an increased number of schools and health centres. WFP is also supplying food stocks to open 40 new cereal banks in addition to re-stocking some 72 existing cereal banks. Food aid distributions or food for work activities are underway in several arrondissements. The national security stock stood at 6 000 tons by late May. Only limited quantities (7 000 tons) could be bought to local traders following a bid for 30 000 tons launched in October for the partial reconstitution of the stock. Several donors had some difficulties in buying locally scheduled quantities for food aid, whilst one donor converted pledged food aid into seed distribution to farmers who will reimburse them with cereals from the next harvest. This will be used for the replenishment of the national security stock. As of mid- April, around 40 000 tons of cereals have been pledged by various donors through local purchases, purchases in neighbouring countries or imported food aid. However, distribution of food aid in affected areas is very slow. Urgent action is needed to expedite distribution or food for work activities.