Food security in urban areas remains critical given the shortages and erratic supplies of basic commodities on the formal market and inadequate humanitarian support in these areas.

The adverse impact of heavy rainfall on this season's maize crop is evident throughout the country, including the country's major maize production areas. These poor crop conditions have also been worsened by the absence of top dressing fertilizer, and crops are showing signs of nitrogen deficiency. Overall, yields for all crops are likely to be lower this season compared to those achieved last season. According to the Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission, last season's maize harvest left a deficit of about 891,000 MT. It most likely that current season will leave a higher national maize deficit.

The outstanding national cereal deficit for the current marketing year (278,000 MT) is likely to be met.

WFP and C-SAFE have continued supporting vulnerable households in grain deficit rural areas, covering 4.1 million beneficiaries in January 2008, over 60 percent of the population in districts receiving food aid.

Cumulative rainfall amounts are well above their long term average for the season. December 2007 was the wettest December ever in the recorded history of Zimbabwe. More than 15,000 people have been affected by this season's floods, which have damaged roads, washed away bridges, destroyed houses, crops and livestock. Heavy rains are expected to continue for the remainder of the season (through March 2008).

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