Malnutrition a serious problem in the northwest

A survey of the Gisenyi prefecture in the northwest has confirmed observer reports of chronic malnutrition and food insecurity. A nutrition survey by the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO and WFP confirmed chronic malnutrition affecting 59.6 percent of those surveyed (national average 41.8%), a global acute malnutrition rate of 11 percent and a severe acute malnutrition rate of 7.3 percent. The survey also noted that 82 percent of expenditure in the households surveyed was on food, and that 79 percent lacked any food stocks, a UN report received by IRIN stated. The number of female-headed households, a common indicator of vulnerable populations, has almost doubled in Gisenyi since December 1998, it added. "In Gisenyi, assistance is urgently needed in the communes of Gaseke, Ramba, Kibilira and Satinsyi", the report stated. Though a nutritional survey has not been undertaken in Ruhengeri due to lack of funding, it is anticipated that the results would be similar, and perhaps worse. Prolonged drought seriously hampering food production A humanitarian worker familiar with the northwest told IRIN on Friday the non-availability of seeds, tools and inputs to formerly displaced people returning to the area between January and march, combined with the early cessation of rains in mid-May and prolonged drought since, had caused abiding problems of food production and security in the region, traditionally the 'bread basket' of Rwanda. The Ministry of Agriculture office for Ruhengeri indicated a shortfall of about 70 percent in cereal and bean production for the 1999 'B season', and the potato crop was also poor, a UN report stated. Farmers have been unable to replenish their seeds and FAO has appealed for donor funding to allow it undertake a seed distribution by the end of August, it added. Shell pays $2.1 million for government share in Petrorwanda The government on Thursday agreed a $2.1 million deal with Shell under which it acquired 19 of the 32 retail service stations previously owned by the state-run oil company, Petrorwanda. In addition, the government agreed to lease the Gatsata depots, 15 km northeast of Kigali, for 30 years. "The sale of the company's assets stems from the heavy losses that have always been incurred ... the divestiture is another step taken by the government towards full liberalisation of the economy", Rwandan News Agency quoted Donald Kaberuka, Rwandan Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, as saying. Shell managing director, Paul Maes, said the company would inject $5 million to rehabilitate the Petrorwanda network. The divestiture coincided with a steep rise in petrol prices in Kigali on Wednesday, which had seriously disrupted transport in the capital. The price of a litre jumped from 230 to 265 Rwandan francs as oil dealers complained that reduced axle weight on Kenyan and Tanzanian roads had increased their costs.