FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report - November 1997:

CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF

CURRENT SITUATION

There was abundant precipitation over the entire country since the beginning of the year. Rainfall remained widespread in July in the north and the centre, and moved towards the north in August and September, allowing the planting of maize in the south. Maize is growing satisfactorily in the centre. Millet and sorghum are currently harvested. In Rutshuru, near Goma, the current sorghum, maize and coffee crops are reported to be poor, due to intermittent rains, lack of basic inputs as well as delayed plantings due to civil strife and population displacements. This is also likely to be the case in many other areas, particularly in eastern, central and southern areas, although the main foodcrop, cassava, can be stored in the ground and is less affected by a lack of inputs. Distribution of seeds and tools would be especially useful in the centre and the south, where the planting of the main season crops is underway now.

The food supply situation is still critical in the east where severe malnutrition is reported among the remaining refugees and the security situation is still tense. In addition to about 190 000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), of whom some 95 000 in Masisi, humanitarian sources estimate the number of remaining refugees at more than 20 000. Increased strife in North and South Kivu has resulted in considerable population movements and disorder, while it also had a negative impact on the delivery of humanitarian assistance. UNHCR was recently forced to suspend its operations related to Rwandan refugees as well as rehabilitation activities in this region and food aid monitoring and distribution remains very limited. Following severe fightings in Brazzaville, about 30 000 Congolese were reported to be refugees in Kinshasa in early October, additional refugees are currently arriving in Kinshasa at average of 500 per day.

In addition, there are an estimated 50 000 assisted and 119 000 unassisted Angolan refugees in the south of the country. While most of the unassisted population is expected to return spontaneously with an improvement of the situation in Angola, repatriation of the assisted refugees has started. Around 92 000 Sudanese and 37 000 Ugandan refugees also remain in the country. The 1997 cereal import requirement (January/December) is estimated at 180 000 tons of wheat and rice and 60 000 tons of coarse grains.