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Plain inefficiency, however, has been the major problem for relief officials. Four of the six countries (Chad, Niger, Mali and Upper Volta) are on the United Nations list of "the least developed of the developing countries." FAO officials, concerned that this year's rains may prove insufficient, are recommending a series of precautions ranging from a post-harvest assessment of food needs to a crash program for restoring livestock herds. But FAO can only recommend. It is clear that action must be taken by the governments involved, to the best of their ability—and that best may not be good enough. FAO warns that unless intelligent and effective planning begins immediately, 1974 may prove still worse than 1973.