Rome, ITALY, 16.10.08 - 'Despite an improvement in the outlook for global cereal supplies in 2008/09 and the declines already witnessed in international prices, FAO’s latest estimates indicate that 36 countries around the world are in need of external assistance as a result of crop failures, conflict or insecurity, natural disasters, and high domestic food prices', says the Crop Prospects and Food Situation report released by FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation) marking the UN World Food Day. Among the 21 African nations in difficulty, that of major concern is Somalia, for over 15 years reigned by violence and fighting, where 'the evolving humanitarian disaster is one of the worst in world', says the report, adding that 'the scale, magnitude and speed at which the crisis is deteriorating are alarming and deep'. 'Unfavourable' trends also in other Eastern African nations, mainly Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, while in the west of the continent “first harvests are good and the food situation is expected to improve starting this month'. In the rest of the world, the most critical situations are concentrated in Asia, where 12 nations are facing food insecurity, and in the Caribbean, with Haiti and Cuba in most difficulty.
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