THE arid west African state of Burkina Faso announced on Thursday that it had obtained almost 47 000 tonnes of cereal from the international community to help it cope with famine. In February Burkina Faso made an urgent appeal for 65 300 tonnes of provisions to make up a shortfall. “From June 30, 2001, the country has received a total of 46 982 tonnes of cereal” to help feed 25 provinces, according to a government press release. Production figures for 2000-2001, estimated at 1_862_000 tonnes, represent a 31% drop in output compared with the year before. – AFP