The food situation of the IDPs is extremely critical, but food aid distribution continues to be hampered by insecurity and shortfalls in food aid pledges. By the end of January, WFP had received pledges for only 60 percent of its current operation in Angola. This has led to a one-third reduction in the number of beneficiaries, from 1.5 million to 1 million and to cuts in the rations distributed. Additional pledges are urgently needed. Malawi Continuous heavy rains since late January have resulted in serious floods in 13 of the country's 27 districts, particularly in southern areas along the Shire River.
Many areas are inaccessible as a result of damage to roads and bridges.
The Government has appealed for international assistance to cope with the disaster. Prospects for the 2001 cereal crops have deteriorated with the excessive rains in February that are likely to have caused yield reductions. A dry spell and high temperatures in January in some southern districts, mainly Balaka, Zomba and Mwanza, also negatively affected yields in these areas. Latest forecasts point to a maize crop below the 2.5 million tonnes bumper harvest last year, but still above average. The final outcome will depend on the rains in the remaining part of the growing season.