EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The end of March signals the end of the marketing year in most of Southern Africa. It also marks the end of the hunger season, and is characterized by the appearance of green maize and other seasonal food crops that become available at the household level as well as on rural markets. Although overall food security is improving as many households begin to access new seasonal crops, the situation is expected to remain worrisome in some parts of the countries that have been adversely affected by the poor crop growing conditions this season.

(a) By February 11, WFP is feeding more than 1.4 million tsunami affected people, and has dispatched over 24,000 tons of food.

(b) WFP is distributing high energy biscuits and other food commodities to thousands of flood affected people in Guyana.

(c) WFP plans to deliver some 42,700 tons of food to Sudan's Darfur region in February.

(d) In Eritrea a total of 12,800 people already moved back to their places of origin after having spent almost six years in an IDP camp. They will receive WFP provided food rations.

(e) Emergency food assistance is needed