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Ethiopia: Food aid pipeline faces serious shortfalls

Estimated food security conditions, 2nd Quarter 2008 (April-June)

Generally Food Secure
Moderately Food Insecure
Highly Food Insecure
Extremely Food Insecure
Famine
No Data

Favorable Conditions
Somewhat Favorable Conditions
Short Term Dryness
Drought
Severe Drought
Humanitarian Concern

Extreme Event
Heavy Snow
Heavy Rain
Flooding
Blowing Dust
Extreme Cold
Extreme Heat

Geographic data are partly derived from the UN/FAO GAUL system. Read Disclaimer

West Africa

Burkina Faso

04/09/2008

Food security is stable in the western part of Burkina Faso, and ongoing government actions (subsidized sales and unofficial export bans) have contributed to ... more
- Food security is stable in the western part of Burkina Faso, and ongoing government actions (subsidized sales and unofficial export bans) have contributed to decreasing cereals prices in many areas. Significant commercial and producer stocks also exist in these regions following strong production in this area this year, despite localized flooding and an early end of rains in some areas.
- Given current high food availability and low demand in the country, a price crisis similar to 2005 is unlikely. Because of the current high levels of availability and low levels of demand, traders are requesting that the Government lift current export restrictions to allow for the release of stocks onto markets in the sub-region. Continuation of export restrictions could cause an oversupply of household and commercial stocks and act as a disincentive to production during the 2008/09 season.
- Difficulties accessing livestock feed, following a reduction in coton production this year, must be addressed immediately to allow for stable livestock conditions during the March and April dry season.
Chad | Mali | Mauritania | Niger | Nigeria | Regional Center

Southern Africa

Zambia

06/25/2008

The food security situation in Zambia is generally stable following the 2007/08 harvest, but localized food deficit areas do exist in parts of the south wher ... more
- The food security situation in Zambia is generally stable following the 2007/08 harvest, but localized food deficit areas do exist in parts of the south where flooding and water logging followed excessive rainfall earlier in the season.
- Food distribution for an estimated 325,193 flood victims began in March, and has been extended beyond June due to the slow start of the program. Resettlement plans for flood affected households willing to move to new areas have started in Kazungula, Namwala, and Mazabuka districts. The results of an ongoing VAC in-depth vulnerability assessment are likely to be available in early July and will inform the duration, size, and target population for any continued food assistance.
- Maize prices at public markets fell in May as the new harvest started to reach the market. The prices are generally below the recent five-year average. Prices in rural areas fell much more steeply than those in urban markets, as consumption of own production and increased availability of other foods reduced rural market demand.
Zambia Country Center
Malawi | Mozambique | Zimbabwe | Regional Center

Caribbean

Haiti

06/17/2008

The acute food crisis which had culminated in street demonstrations in April continues to wane due to lower prices of basic food commodities and an optimisti ... more
- The acute food crisis which had culminated in street demonstrations in April continues to wane due to lower prices of basic food commodities and an optimistic outlook for the June/July harvest. Although the spring harvest is promising, it will nevertheless have a limited impact on the crisis.
- Donors have provided the necessary funding for the implementation of sectoral activities in response to the crisis. Its activities (food aid, labor-intensive public works and agricultural) are either underway or about to begin.
- Given the persistence of high prices, a hurricane season (April-November) likely more active than normal, and the recent appearance of bird flu, the number of people already or potentially affected by these shocks remains the same as April, at 2.5 million.
Haiti Country Center

East Africa

Djibouti

06/30/2008

Due to a combination of drought and rising food prices, the population at risk of food insecurity is estimated at 284,000 people, about 45 percent of the to ... more
- Due to a combination of drought and rising food prices, the population at risk of food insecurity is estimated at 284,000 people, about 45 percent of the total population (632,000, UN figures). Approximately 130,000 people (80,000 in rural areas and 50,000 in Djibouti city) require immediate emergency food assistance and 25,000 children under the age of five years require supplementary and/or therapeutic feeding.
- Significant food deficits exist in all pastoral areas due to a combination of three consecutive below-average rainy seasons, extremely high prices for staple foods, declining remittances, and high levels of livestock mortality (40-50 percent). The situation is critical, and pre-famine indicators have been observed. Despite recent rains, which will bring marginal improvement in certain localities, the food security situation is not expected to improve until at least the end of the year, and continuous assistance will be required throughout this period. The July to September rains are forecast to be favorable, suggesting that livestock restocking would be an appropriate intervention later in the year.
- Poor urban households are in critical condition and cannot afford to satisfy their minimum daily calorie requirements. The continuous increase in staple food prices over the last twelve months has eroded the purchasing power of these households. In addition, income is expected to decline over the next few months, as is common during this time of year, particularly for those involved in petty trade, as schools are closed and many upper class households will opt to spend the hot season outside Djibouti. Together these high prices and lower incomes will further constrain food access, leading to increasing rates of acute malnutrition among the most vulnerable groups (children and women) and limiting the ability of urban households to assist their relatives in rural areas.
- The border conflict between Eritrea and Djibouti escalated in recent weeks, displacing approximately 1,000 people, and as many as 22,000, should the violence worsen.
Djibouti Country Center
Ethiopia | Kenya | Somalia | Sudan | Tanzania | Uganda | Regional Center

Central America

Guatemala

05/29/2008

The food and nutritional security situation is stable in Guatemala, with good harvests and a healthy demand for day-labor work in the last agricultural cycle ... more
- The food and nutritional security situation is stable in Guatemala, with good harvests and a healthy demand for day-labor work in the last agricultural cycle.
- The demand for agricultural labor decreased in April throughout the country, reducing employment and income-generating opportunities for the poor. This situation, together with annual food price increases, will limit food access for these households until August, when the next harvests begin and prices begin to decrease.
- An increase in the price of agricultural inputs may reduce their purchase and application, and therefore, the yield from the forthcoming planting season. As many as 90 percent of subsistence producers will reduce their purchase of inorganic fertilizers, leading to a decreased availability of grains for consumption and sale as of August, when the harvests begin.
Guatemala Country Center

Central Asia

Afghanistan

06/10/2008

Based on a recent FEWS NET assessment in the northern region, the impact of the current drought is most severe in areas which depend on rain-fed agriculture ... more
- Based on a recent FEWS NET assessment in the northern region, the impact of the current drought is most severe in areas which depend on rain-fed agriculture, rather than irrigation. Ninety percent of rain-fed wheat acreage has no yield while irrigated wheat yield is likely to decrease by 20-30 percent in areas of the northwest where farmers are faced with water shortages.
- Provision of food aid is essential to save lives and livelihoods in Almar, the Astana areas of Shirin Tagab district, the Pashtun Kut areas of Faryab Province, Dari Suf Payin, and the rain fed areas of the Hazrat Sultan District of Samangan Province.
- Scarcity of adequate pasture and animal feed has reached critical levels in the northwestern provinces and urgent attention is needed in order to prevent further deterioration in agro-pastoralist livelihoods.
Afghanistan Country Center

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Ethiopia	06/23/2008
Food aid pipeline faces serious shortfalls
Djibouti	06/19/2008
Border conflict threatens food security

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Africa	06/27/2008
Darfur Rain Timeline as of June 26, 2008

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Africa	07/03/2008
Rains bring relief to West Africa
Haiti	07/03/2008
Above average rainfall continues

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