According to WMO(*) Annual Statement on the Global Climate
Geneva, Thursday, 17 December -- The earth's global temperature in 1998 will be the highest since 1860, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The global mean surface temperature is estimated to be 0.58 oC above the recent long-term average based on the period 1961-1990. As we approach the end of the century, global temperatures are almost 0.7 oC above those at the end of the 19th century.

It will be the 20th consecutive year with an above normal global surface temperature. The ten warmest years

WEEKLY NEWS 27/98
The Guyana Red Cross was in a race against time the weekend of 18-19 July to ensure that 1,500 Amerindian families in a drought-stricken region had tools and seeds in time for the upcoming planting season. Twenty trucks laden with 100 tonnes of relief material left for Lethem, in southern Guyana on 18 July. From there, the goods are being transported by truck and canoe to 15 remote regions. Food items such as rice, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, flour, beans, corned beef, fish and biscuits are being distributed, as well as vegetable and fruit seeds.

Ref: DHAGVA - 98/0177
SITUATION

1. THE PROLONGED DROUGHT AFFECTING GUYANA CONTINUES TO CAUSE WIDESPREAD DEPRIVATION AND LOSS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. THE MOST ACUTE PROBLEMS FACING THE POPULATION ARE LACK OF DRINKING WATER AND SHORTAGE OF FOOD AS SEA WATER MOVES UP STREAM INTO AREAS OF CULTIVATION AND CROPS FAIL.

2. AVAILABLE DATA INDICATES THAT THE POPULATION AFFECTED IN EACH OF THE REGIONS IS AS FOLLOWS: 2,500 IN REGION ONE, 7,500 IN REGION TWO, 1,500 IN REGION FIVE, 5,000 IN REGION SEVEN, AND 5,574 IN REGION EIGHT. IN REGION 9, THE ACUTE SHORTAGE OF FOOD