OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Central America - Drought
24 August 2001


1.5 million affected by drought.

1.  1.5 million people have been affected by persistent drought conditions
that have caused serious crop damages in the Central American Region. Most
affected countries are Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. WFP
reports that coping mechanisms among affected population have been
seriously deteriorated during the last five years as a consequence of the
El Nino phenomena, floods caused by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and droughts
during the last two years.

2.  EL SALVADOR some 400,000 people affected and agricultural losses
estimated at 45,000 Ha.
WFP plans to assist 100,000 people during 90 days.

3.  GUATEMALA some 114,000 people affected and agricultural losses
estimated at 32,000 Ha.
WFP plans to assist 64,000 people during 90 days.

4.  HONDURAS some 800,000 people affected and agricultural losses
estimated at 96,000 Ha.
WFP plans to assist 128,000 people during 90 days.

5.  NICARAGUA some 188,000 people affected and agricultural losses
estimated at 45,000 Ha.
WFP  plans  to assist 75,000 people during 90 days.

6.  The overall food tonnage required by WFP was MT 16,500. A pledge of MT
4,800 has been announced by the US Government. Hence there is a shortfall
of MT 11,700.

7.  Donors to contact: WFP Regional Bureau - Latin America and Caribbean
Rotonda el Güegüense 1, c. al oeste, 2 ½ c. al norte, Managua,
NicaraguaTel. +505-266-2566, Fax: +505-266-8043, e-mail:
WFP.Managua@wfp.org


This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies are
also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.
WFP's website is: http://www.wfp.org


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Mr. Erik Haegglund / Ms. Masayo Kondo
  Direct Tel.: +41-22-917 32 99/19 97

Press contact:
  Ms. Elisabeth Byrs Direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53 (Geneva)
  Ms. Phyllis Lee Tel. + 1-212-963-4832 (New York)


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