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Erratic first half of season could reduce yields in parts of Southern Africa

Estimated food security conditions, 4th Quarter 2008 (October-December)

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

Nigeria

01/05/2009

The month of November signals the end of the 2007/2008 growing season throughout the country for all crops except sorghum, which is currently being harvested ... more
- The month of November signals the end of the 2007/2008 growing season throughout the country for all crops except sorghum, which is currently being harvested in the northern part of the country. According to a preliminary government crop assessment, the country has recorded an increase in overall cereal and tuber production in 2008 when compared to last year and the recent four-year average. Despite the increase in production, food availability will not be sufficient to meet domestic food requirements and imports will be required.
- Household food security is currently stable owing to good food availability and relatively low food prices. Following the substantial seasonal decline in food prices since October, current prices are the lowest, for most food commodities, since January of this year. Stock levels have also generally improved in markets and at the household level.
- While the majority of households will be food secure for the next six months, households who live in production deficit areas could face restricted food access during the next four months. In order to prevent increases in food insecurity and unseasonably high market prices, the government and partners should provide support for irrigation, food storage, improved food processing capacity, and marketing.
Nigeria Country Center
Burkina Faso | Chad | Mali | Mauritania | Niger | Regional Center

Southern Africa

Zambia

09/16/2008

The food security situation is generally stable and food relief to flood and water-logging affected households in southern Zambia has continued.

... more

Malawi | Mozambique | Zimbabwe | Regional Center

Caribbean

Haiti

12/16/2008

The cyclone season of 2008 (June 1 – November 30, 2008) has just come to an end. The number and frequency of storms will significantly diminish until next Ju ... more
- The cyclone season of 2008 (June 1 – November 30, 2008) has just come to an end. The number and frequency of storms will significantly diminish until next June. Storms and cyclones in 2008 were extremely devastating. They caused the deaths of more than a thousand people, illustrating the extreme vulnerability of Haiti to hurricanes. Due to their impacts, especially on watershed basins and natural resources, envormental conditions have been further degraded.
- Winter season harvests have just begun and will continue through February 2009. Overall, according to forecasts from the CNSA and FEWS NET, these harvests should be relatively average. The prices of food staples are generally low, but a few specific commodities remain very expensive. In certain areas, like Artibonite, prices may begin to rise again with the end of food aid programming and emergency response.
- The food insecure population is now estimated at 3.3 million people, who reside primarily in poor urban areas, the North-west areas of Artibonite, and in the Southern peninsula. Small areas at risk of serious food insecurity have been identified across the country, particularly in mountainous areas. About 210,000 people living in these zones are in need of urgent help.
- Although some are poorly coordinated, multiple emergency response programs are in progress and are generally well directed. However, as appeal financing has been insufficient, these programs will likely be unable to continue.
Haiti Country Center

East Africa

Kenya

01/14/2009

Poor rains in the southeastern and coastal marginal agricultural lowlands, in combination with an early end to the short rains season, and after a succession ... more
- Poor rains in the southeastern and coastal marginal agricultural lowlands, in combination with an early end to the short rains season, and after a succession of three poor seasons, have resulted in widespread crop failure, and precipitated a likely humanitarian and livelihood crisis.
- Some northeastern and southeastern pastoral districts have benefited from improved livestock conditions, but the early cessation of the short rains could cause a rapid deterioration in pasture and water availability, resulting in a quick decline in food security. Pastoral areas in the north and south received poor short rains and require immediate assistance.
- The GoK has indicated that 10 million persons are highly food insecure. The number includes a provisional estimate of 3.2 million drought-affected marginal farmers, agropastoralists, and pastoralists; about 150,000 IDPs; 850,000 school children; 3.5 million urban dwellers, and about 2.2 million persons affected by HIV and AIDS, including orphans. Rapid assessments planned for February and will clarify the depth and extent of food insecurity.
- The national supply situation suggests that there will be a 190,000 MT deficit at the end of the marketing year. While the GoK has allowed for the importation of 450,000 MT of cereals for both the SGR and commercial purposes, it is unclear whether the private sector will be able to competitively source their allocation of 270,000 MT from the international market.
Kenya Country Center
Djibouti | Ethiopia | Somalia | Sudan | Tanzania | Uganda | Regional Center

Central America

Guatemala

12/29/2008

Heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Depression 16 in the northern departments of the country caused severe damage to crops and infrastructure, affecting ... more
- Heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Depression 16 in the northern departments of the country caused severe damage to crops and infrastructure, affecting the zone's food security. The Government of Guatemala has decreed State of Calamity in the affected areas and intends to allocate funds to respond to damage, to be complemented by donor funding.
- The season of high demand for unskilled labor continues in November with the start of the harvest of sugar cane and the coffee cutting activities. The demand is expected to be within normal ranges and improve food access for the poorest households.
- The season of cold fronts and frosts has begun, which could damage crops in vulnerable areas if the temperatures fall below 4° C in the highlands in the west of the country.
- Prices are at the top of the historical values but have shown a tendency to stabilize, and even decline, influenced by the reduction of international commodity prices. If seasonal agricultural activities do not resume in the northern areas of the country recently affected by excessive rains, the prices of staple cereals could increase in the early months of 2009, as supply would be lower than normal.
Guatemala Country Center

Central Asia

Afghanistan

11/25/2008

Taking into consideration the magnitude of current donor-funded food security programs and recent imports, food security is likely to remain stable through F ... more
- Taking into consideration the magnitude of current donor-funded food security programs and recent imports, food security is likely to remain stable through February 2008, although typical seasonal increases in human and animal morbidity are likely to occur during the wet season.
- In comparison to the beginning of the 2007-2008 winter, the forecast for this year looks optimistic in terms of both precipitation and temperature.
- Retail wheat prices continue to decline in all reference markets. However, in comparison to both the five-year average and 2007, prices remain high.
Afghanistan Country Center

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Afghanistan	01/14/2009
Afghan: Extreme Cold in High Elevations
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