World Food Program Emergency Report No. 07 for Africa, distributed by the Africa News Service: " 2.1 On 5 February, FAO issued a special report on East Africa, describing the effects of the heavy rains, attributed to the El Nino, which have caused extensive crop damage in the region. The report indicates that the resulting floods have seriously affected food production and food distribution and caused extensive damage to crops in the field and in stores. Large livestock losses were also reported. The severe damage inflicted on the sub-region's transport infrastructure is seriously disrupting the movement of goods. 2.2 In Tanzania, apart from the disruption of rail and road systems, the heavy rains and flooding resulted in localized crop losses and damage of the 1997/998 Vuli crop, grown from October to February. In central and southern parts of the country, where cereal crops of the main season are at developing stage, crops losses in some low-lying areas may be significant, but the abundant precipitation has been generally beneficial. 2.3 In Uganda, the heavy rains, mainly in eastern parts, resulted in floods and mudslides which caused loss of life, damage to housing and infrastructure and localized crop losses. Prices of maize and beans, which by December 1997 had doubled in a year, are anticipated to decline with the arrival of the new crop. Nevertheless, the food situation remains difficult for the large number of displaced people in northern parts affected by persistent civil conflict."