Area:
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2 268 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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Tropical wet climate in the central basin, tropical wet-dry in the extreme north and south
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Population:
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46.19 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US $ 110 (1998)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country; tropical country with access to sea
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Logistics:
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Roads inadequate
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Major foodcrops:
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Roots and tubers, coarse grains, fruit
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Marketing year:
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January/December; Lean season: October (north), November-December (south)
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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15 percent
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The food supply situation remains tight in most parts of the country as a result of persistent civil war. In particular, severe food shortages and malnutrition are reported among large numbers of displaced population in northeastern Katanga, South Kivu and Ituri area of Upper Congo. In the latter, reports indicate that a serious humanitarian crisis is developing. A UN assessment mission to Djugu area of Ituri, estimated last October that over 100 000 people had been displaced and about 5 000-7 000 people killed. In another measure of the seriousness of the situation in the area, a recent nutritional survey by MSF showed 11.6 percent global malnutrition and 9.1 percent severe to acute malnutrition. In addition to people who have died as a direct result of the conflict, many others have died of illnesses or epidemics due to inadequate access to drinking water or medical care.
Among the population most affected by the crisis, are also those in urban areas, in particular in the city of Kinshasa (about 6 million people). The division of the country in two since the start of the conflict has virtually halted all formal internal trade, while population displacements have seriously disrupted agricultural activities in surrounding rural areas. Recent estimates indicate that about 10 percent of the population in Kinshasa is severely affected due to a serious erosion of the purchasing power and suffer acute malnutrition, against 6 percent in 1998.
Overall, it is estimated that more than 10 million people in the country are living in conditions of food insecurity, including 1 million internally displaced persons. The most affected population remain inaccessible to humanitarian assistance due to insecurity and cut-off of roads. While WFP has recently created a fourth corridor to access displaced people in Northeastern Katanga and South Kivu, food aid pledges for the emergency operation remain well below requirements. There is an urgent need of additional contributions.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 18 | 445 | 1 279 | 1 742 |
| Normal Imports | 130 | 45 | 45 | 220 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 5 | - | 5 | 10 |
| 2000 Domestic Availability | 18 | 233 | 1 247 | 1 498 |
| 1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 18 | 350 | 1 247 | 1 615 |
| 1999 Production (rice in milled terms) | 18 | 233 | 1 247 | 1 498 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 2000 Utilization | 158 | 283 | 1 307 | 1 748 |
| Food Use | 150 | 242 | 1 027 | 1 419 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 8 | 42 | 280 | 330 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2000 Import Requirement | 140 | 50 | 60 | 250 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 140 | 50 | 54 | 244 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | 6 | 6 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | 6 | 6 |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | 6 | 6 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 3 | 5 | 22 | 30 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1999 production as % of normal: | 93 | |||
| 2000 import requirement as % of normal: | 114 | |||
| 2000 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 60 |
