Bleak food outlook

The FAO has warned of a serious threat of starvation among regrouped people unless security is restored and humanitarian assistance resumes. In a news alert issued on Friday, it expressed concern over the food and health situation of regrouped populations. “Only a limited number of people have access to their fields at a time when the first cropping season has already started.” In addition, crop prospects for the September 1999-January 2000 season were affected by unfavourable weather. Dry weather had delayed crop planting, which normally starts mid-September to mid-October. A reduced harvest this season would follow a below-normal harvest last season. It was expected the already tight supply of cereals and pulses, which had resulted in high prices, would deteriorate still further in the coming months.