Mission final disaster summary report - Bas - Zaire

and other donors to drought in the Bas-Fleuve and Boma-Moanda sub-regions of Zaire. Final report covers the period 12/77-8/79; no methodology is given. Despite problems with disaster relief operations, recovery from the drought is progressing. USAID/Z purchased and distributed to farmers for planting 58 MT of corn seed, 18 MT of vegetable seed, and 418 MT of bean seeds. Although most seeds were planted, some unfamiliar varieties were eaten and approximately 25% were sold on the black market. A.I.D."s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance provided assistance through other donors and mechanisms (e.g., 15,000 MT of P.L. 480, Title II commodities distributed through Catholic Relief Service). Prioirty was given to the two worst stricken zones, Tshela and Lukula. Assistance was also provided by various international donors, foreign governments, and U.S. PVO"s. Unilateral actions taken by the Zairian Government (GOZ) were minimal. GOZ handling of World Food Program commodities was deficient due chiefly to the GOZ"s lack of organizational capacity. The GOZ maintains that one of the biggest problems was that corn, rather than more acceptable foods, was imported. As a result of relief operations, rates of acute malnutrition in Tshela and Lukula, which were significantly above those in Kinshasha in 11/78, dropped significantly below the rate in Kinshasha by 8/79. Currently, acute malnutrition is rare, but chronic malnutrition is still prevalent. Clearly, the emergency distribution of food and seed made a significant impact; however, such factors as substantial harvesting of immature cassava, increased child mortality, and greater planting of short-term crops also played a significant part. It is recommended that Bas-Zaire be incorporated in the Food and Agriculture Organization"s planned early warning system and that Zairian agricultural research stations be upgraded. Experience with disaster assistance in Bas-Zaire taught that donors and PVO"s must have adequate in-country personnel to supervise relief operations, and that procedures for evacuating incoming commodities from ports should be developed prior to the arrival of commodities.