Harvesting of the 1998 first season cereal crops was well advanced when the hurricane struck and some planting of the second crop had been initiated. No detailed assessment of damage has yet been made, but extensive damage is reported to fields of standing crops in the aforementioned areas which are some of the most economically depressed zones in the country. Early estimates indicate that possibly as much as 80 percent of maize crop grown in these areas has been lost. Other important crops for the affected population, such as sorghum and beans, are also reported to have been seriously damaged. Important coffee plantations, a vital foreign exchange earner, have been also seriously affected.
Considerable damage is reported to the important sugar cane crop.
Emergency relief assistance is being provided and a detailed assessment of damage is in the process of being initiated for the rehabilitation of the agricultural activities in the affected areas. This report is prepared on the responsibility of the FAO Secretariat with information from official and unofficial sources.