Latest Headlines:

Estimated food security conditions, 1st Quarter 2010 (January-March)

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

The FEWS NET Food Insecurity Severity Scale Read Descriptions
Geographic data are partly derived from the UN/FAO GAUL system. Read Disclaimer

West Africa

Mauritania

01/07/2010

Current food security conditions are normal for the season. In most rural areas, the rising price of small ruminants, especially during this period leading u ... more
- Current food security conditions are normal for the season. In most rural areas, the rising price of small ruminants, especially during this period leading up to Tabaski, is sufficient to contain rising food prices. However, the sharp reduction of irrigated crops in the valley of the river because of a lack of agricultural credit will result in the deterioration of food security to moderate to high food insecurity from March to June.
- The seasonal degradation of pastures will be heightened this year in the west, north and center of the agropastoral zone, as well as Aoujeft and Tichit after poor rainfall. The consequent decrease in animal body conditions will necessarily lead to a depreciation of the value of animals and to deteriorating terms of trade for cattle to grain to the detriment of pastoralists.
- Food insecurity remains high in the suburbs and slums of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. The decrease in revenue caused by the sluggishness of the informal sector that the poor and middle households are becoming more difficult to access food. They have already started to skip meals, to substitute products of lower nutritional value, and even to sell property. The increasing number of beggars in the streets (with a sharp increase in women) is fairly expressive indicator of looming crisis since the cessation of social programs. This situation will continue until June or even beyond, until the economic climate improves or social programs are developed that improve food access for the benefit of this part of society.
Burkina Faso | Chad | Mali | Niger | Nigeria | Regional Center

Southern Africa

Malawi

01/26/2010

Current food security conditions in Chikwawa, Nsanje, and Balaka have improved slightly due to increased irrigation and belated food aid and cotton sales. Wh ... more
- Current food security conditions in Chikwawa, Nsanje, and Balaka have improved slightly due to increased irrigation and belated food aid and cotton sales. While dry spells caused production failures and low cotton prices reduced incomes in the 2009 season, intensified irrigated crop production, the food aid program which started in December (and will last until March 2010), and improved cotton prices have improved household food access. The provision of funds for ADMARC to purchase the remaining 28 percent of last year’s cotton harvest at MK 60/kg and consumption of irrigated and green crops later in the season will improve food security in Chikwawa, Nsanje, Balaka, and Zomba districts. The harvest will take place between April and June. Government needs to scale up food aid to cover all 275,168 hungry households identified by the MVAC in its October 2009 update, especially now that the hunger season is underway. Chingale EPA in Zomba, which was identified as food insecure in the update, but which has not yet been included in the current food aid program, needs special attention.
- Rains have started in all three regions of Malawi, and the majority of farmers have planted. However, the rains have been sporadic, with dry conditions persisting, especially in the South. This will likely lead to local food deficits. By the end of December 2009, the suppressed rainfall was reported to be hindering basal dressing and causing crop wilting. Short-term rainfall forecasts show persistent dry spells continuing in the south. The government has so far identified more than 121,000 households whose crops have either wilted or not germinated, and will have to replant. This is a preliminary count, and the figure is expected to rise significantly, because some districts have not yet been assessed. No program to support these households with inputs has been announced.
- Continuous earthquakes from December 6-20, 2009, have caused displacement and disruption of farming activities in Karonga district in the north. This may cause local production failures. The situation requires close monitoring.
Malawi Country Center
Mozambique | Zambia | Zimbabwe | Regional Center

Caribbean

Haiti

02/05/2010

The January 12, 2010 earthquake near Port-au-Prince has led to an acute humanitarian crisis in the capital and in the surrounding areas, with immediate, medi ... more
- The January 12, 2010 earthquake near Port-au-Prince has led to an acute humanitarian crisis in the capital and in the surrounding areas, with immediate, medium-term, and long-term consequences for food security in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and throughout the country.
- In the short-term, household food security in Port-au-Prince is principally affected by the loss of income caused by the severe decline in income-earning opportunities. Food security has also been impacted through damage to infrastructure and property in Port-au-Prince and through immediate increases in food prices, although the majority of markets in Port-au-Prince are well-stocked and functioning for the time being.
- In the rest of the country, food security will be affected by the massive displacement of populations toward rural and urban areas outside of Port-au-Prince. This displacement will have impacts on food availability and natural resources (e.g., increasing depletion of trees for charcoal production) in many areas of the country.
Haiti Country Center

East Africa

Djibouti

01/29/2010

Consecutive seasons of poor rainfall, followed by possible failure of the current Heys/Dada rains, high staple food prices, and a significant reduction in em ... more
- Consecutive seasons of poor rainfall, followed by possible failure of the current Heys/Dada rains, high staple food prices, and a significant reduction in emergency food aid distribution, is pushing households towards extreme food insecurity, particularly in the Northwest and Southeast pastoral livelihood zones. The situation is expected to worsen as food and income from animal sources declines over the coming months.
- The rural population in need of emergency assistance, both food and non-food, is expected to increase in the coming months to 80,000 to 100,000 persons. Current emergency food aid distribution is inadequate and should expand to meet the expected caseload. In addition, any program intended to help the affected households should consider destocking and asset protection interventions in rural areas.
- Food insecurity among poor urban households will remain high during the coming months due to high staple food prices, low income, and high unemployment rates. Acute malnutrition rates are above emergency international thresholds in Djibouti city (Balbala areas) according to a recent study conducted by MSF (GAM 20.8 percent and SAM 8.4 percent).
Djibouti Country Center
Ethiopia | Kenya | Somalia | Sudan | Tanzania | Uganda | Regional Center

Central America

Guatemala

01/29/2010

High demand for unskilled labor in agroexport activities such as coffee, sugarcane, and cardamom production will facilitate food access through February and ... more
- High demand for unskilled labor in agroexport activities such as coffee, sugarcane, and cardamom production will facilitate food access through February and March. As these activities end, and households run out of food reserves, food security will deteriorate.
- A period of cold snaps and frosts began in November. There are reports of some damage to crops, especially vegetables — an important source of labor in the west. Such damage is normal for this time of year.
- Due to the continuation of El Niño, there is a high probability of an irregular beginning to the rainy season in April and May, which could affect the primera harvest of basic grains, and even put the August/September harvest at risk.
- The situation in the north is normal. Although there were reports of damage caused by the “Mancha de Asfalto” fungus, a monitoring trip conducted by MFEWS found that the reports are false. Large producers in the region had a very good primera harvest and predict that the second harvest will be similar, especially for beans, which is the predominant crop for this season until March/April.
Guatemala Country Center

Central Asia

Afghanistan

11/30/2009

Following the historically large 2009 harvest, this year’s generous WFP and Afghanistan government food assistance, successful winter prepositioning, and mo ... more
- Following the historically large 2009 harvest, this year’s generous WFP and Afghanistan government food assistance, successful winter prepositioning, and modest beginnings of a national wheat grain reserves, Afghanistan’s food balance is expected to be in good position in the coming months and throughout the winter.
- The 2009 winter wheat plantation campaign was successful with 40,000 tons of certified and quality declared seeds distributed in 34 provinces of Afghanistan.
- October 2009 wheat market prices are slightly higher than long-term average with exception of Mazar and Hirat provinces, where wheat market prices are lower than long-term average by 9 and 23.
Afghanistan Country Center