Food insecurity expected to worsen in the southern provinces due to limited livelihood options
Key Messages
Households in most southern provinces are currently facing Stressed (IPC Phase 2) and Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes through September. These outcomes are expected to deteriorate to Crisis (IPC Phase 3) from October through December as cereal demand and prices increase. In most northern districts, the majority of households are experiencing Minimum (IPC Phase 1) outcomes. A few areas will transition to Stressed (IPC Phase 2) and Crisis (IPC Phase 3) food security outcomes as households begin to rely more on cereal purchases between September and December.
In southern provinces some households are selling livestock earlier than normal in order to be able to purchase mainly maize meal, and people are seeking more work in petty trading and informal gold panning/mining. Maize meal availability and prices may be affected by the recent government ban on lower priced maize meal imports.
For the consumption year, safety-net interventions by the government and partners are expected to be limited. Lean season humanitarian assistance is also expected to be lower than normal due to a challenging funding situation. Partners are still in consultations with donors about program start dates, locations, and beneficiary targeting.