Harvest threat in Darfur

SUDAN’S Darfur region, already engulfed in a conflict that has forced 1.8 million people to flee their homes, faces a new threat - a drought that has all but wiped out this year’s harvest.

Andrew Natsios, head of the US Agency for International Development, said farmers who stayed on their land during the conflict are now beginning their major harvest, but they’re expected to reap just 10% to 15% of the normal yield.

“They have enough production from this crop to last perhaps until March, but certainly not until the end of December 2005, when the next harvest will be completed,” he said.