(a)WFP and FAO carried out a joint Crop and Food Supply Assessment at the end of June, in order to assess early prospects for the 2001 main crops. The mission report, released on 27 July, indicates that 45 percent of the maize crop was affected by the drought and a significant proportion of the original plantings failed. Production from the first crop for this season was approximately 172,000 tons, considerably below the 493,000 tons originally expected.
(b)Heavy rains at the end of July were reported in Yonan and Paechon counties, South Hwanghae province. An inter-agency mission comprised of WFP/FALU, UNICEF, FAO, OCHA, UNDP, Campus fur Christus and SDC visited the affected areas to assess the damage. The mission concluded that should there be no further adverse weather the total harvest will provide sufficient food to support the population of the counties. However, the anticipated surplus which would normally be provided to other provinces via the Public Distribution System is likely to be much reduced.
(c)WFP received a donation of 50,000 tons of wheat, valued at USD 13,048,400, in July. This was followed by another donation of 50,000 tons, in early August.
(d)Overall local food amounted in July to 2,117 tons. The installation of equipment to produce enriched noodles for pregnant and nursing women began in July. By month’s end work was complete and trial production had begun at Sinuiju and Pyongyang.
