Scenario Injection 4: Regional Food Shortages

INJECTION: REGIONAL FOOD SHORTAGES INCREASES (EVENT+6 WEEKS)

- In Vietnam large proportions of household rice stores have been lost.
- The Vietnamese government has an estimated 3 months supply of rice stored.
- Shortages of rice begin to appear approximately 6 weeks after landfall of the typhoon.
- Cambodia/Laos governments are not as prepared as Vietnam, and have only 3 weeks supply. Food shortages begin during Week 3 for Cambodia and Laos.
- Seafood farms in Mekong Delta region suffer huge losses to stock, boats, equipment. Estimates are that shrimp farms will not be able to harvest for at least 12 months post typhoon.
- It is difficult to find financing to cover loans to replace the lost/damaged boats and equipment essential for seafood farming. Some operations may never recover, while others may take years and need financing from government or international agencies.
- 80-90% of home rice storage in Mekong lost (directly – storm indirectly- flooding).
- World Food Program is “going out of business”. Can not depend on them – token work only – much screaming and finger pointing about the problem.