POOR RAINS DELAY PLANTING IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, SAYS UN HUMANITARIAN OFFICE

POOR RAINS DELAY PLANTING IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, SAYS UN HUMANITARIAN OFFICE

NEW YORK, 31 December (OCHA) -- Rainfall in much of southern Africa has been very low to date, leading to delayed planting in Lesotho, Swaziland, South Africa and Mozambique, according to the United Nations Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Support Office.  Farmers who planted despite the less-than-optimal conditions could face a reduced yield, while the window for replanting is closing.

The situation in Lesotho is particularly problematic given a current 30-day weather forecast of dry conditions.  Lesotho received insufficient rains during the last summer season, and the winter season failed, as well.  Lack of inputs has reduced the area planted, and yields are expected to be well below average.

The situation in Swaziland's low veld is equally worrisome, as is the situation for non-irrigated crops in the western and north-eastern interior of South Africa.  By January, when this year's harvest has been exhausted, the World Food Programme (WFP) will be feeding an estimated 245,000 people, or about a quarter of the Swazi population.

For further information, please call:  Stephanie Bunker, OCHA New York, tel.: (917) 367-5126, mobile: (917) 892-1679; Elizabeth Byrs, OCHA Geneva, tel. 41-22-917-2653, mobile: 41(0) 79-472-4570.

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