The ongoing drought and adverse weather conditions continue to affect the food security situation across the country. In its latest crop and food security assessment report, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives estimates a food grain shortage of almost 190,000 Mt for the year 2006/2007. It calls for food aid requirements of around 40.5 thousand Mt to be targeted to the neediest communities in order to assist them in overcoming the lean period before harvesting the main winter crops in May/June 2007. The assessment recommends for WFP to continue and expand its Emergency Operation to cover the areas where crop production is most affected.