The food crisis of 2008 provoked a strong coordinated response from the world community and exposed fundamental problems in the agrofood sector, which continue. Prices remain high in many domestic markets of developing countries, and the risk of future volatility persists. The present economy-wide crisis creates severe economic and social difficulties, which aggravate agricultural problems and the food situation -particularly for least-developed countries and small farmers - and which require stronger

Drought is a recurrent feature of countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus, which requires careful management and mitigation in order to forestall costly damage to the economy, population, and environment. It is a complex phenomenon with greatly varying impacts depending not only on the magnitude, timing, duration, and frequency of precipitation deficits, but also on the differing responses of various soils, plants, and animals to water stress. If governments and communities do not take steps to prepare for and mitigate the effects of drought, damage

Events in Andijan (Uzbekistan) between 12 and 14 May 2005 resulted in the deaths of between 176 and possibly several hundred more men, women and children. In response, the High Commissioner for Human Rights called on the Government of Uzbekistan to permit the deployment of an independent investigation to Uzbekistan; after no positive response was received, the High Commissioner decided to send an OHCHR mission from 13 to 21 June 2005 to neighbouring Kyrgyzstan. The purpose of the mission was to gather information from eyewitnesses who had fled to Kyrgyzstan

As of June 2002, the number of countries facing serious food difficulties throughout the world stands at 32, of which 21 are in Africa.

In southern Africa, the 2002 cereal production decreased sharply for the second consecutive year in most countries. The largest falls were in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. Only South Africa and Mozambique recorded increases. A prolonged dry spell from January and excessive rains in parts, coupled with reduced plantings in Zimbabwe due to land acquisitions activities, severely reduced plantings and yields.

As of mid-April 2002, the number of countries facing serious food shortages throughout the world stands at 34. However, in several sub-regions the food supply situation has markedly improved compared to 2000/01.

In eastern Africa, favourable secondary season cereal harvests in parts and forecasts of near-normal rainfall over most of sub-region for the period March-May 2002, augur well for the food supply outlook. However, the effects earlier devastating droughts and past or ongoing conflicts continue to undermine the food security of

As of mid-February 2002, the number of countries facing serious food shortages throughout the world stands at 29 However, in several sub-regions the food supply situation has markedly improved compared to 1999/2000.

In eastern Africa, harvesting of the 2001/02 secondary cereal crops is almost complete in most countries, except in Ethiopia where planting is about to commence. In Kenya the food outlook is favourable, following sufficient rainfall during the season. In Somalia, harvest prospects have improved with better rains than during

Latest information indicates a slightly larger global cereal output in 2001, of 1 870 million tonnes (including rice in milled terms). However, even at this level, production would still be less than the anticipated utilization requirements in 2001/02, leading to a significant draw-down of cereal stocks.

While Afghanistan currently faces a grave food supply situation, food emergencies persist in many other countries (see box on page 6).

World cereal trade in 2001/02 is forecast at 233 million tonnes, unchanged from the previous season's

November 14, 2001 Washington, D.C.

2:10 p.m. EDT

MS. CASSEL: We are very honored today to have Mr. Bear McConnell, the Director of the Central Asia Task Force of the US Agency for International Development, here to give you a briefing on the status of our aid efforts to Afghanistan.

MR. McCONNELL: I apologize for being late. I was doing some football research. (Laughter.) But anyway, if I may, I'd like to sort of start out with a commercial,

The outlook for 2001 cereal output has deteriorated since June due to persisting drought in some important producing countries. The latest forecasts put world production well below anticipated utilization in 2001/02, pointing to a substantial decline in stocks.

Food emergencies of varying intensity persist for 62 million people worldwide, according to FAO estimates in September, about the same number as at this time last year.

Cereal production in 2001 is now forecast at 1 842 million tonnes, 14 million tonnes or about 0.7 percent below