Le mil, le maïs, le niébé et le riz importé sont les produits alimentaires les plus importants consommés au Niger. Le mil est consommé aussi bien par les ménages ruraux que les ménages pauvres urbains dans l’ensemble du pays. Le maïs et le riz importé sont plus importants pour les ménages urbains, tandis que le niébé est principalement consommé par les ménages pauvres des régions rurales et urbaines en tant que source de protéine.

Niamey est le marché national le plus important et un centre du commerce international ; elle approvisionne en outre les ménages urbains. Tillaberi est aussi un centre urbain approvisionnant les localités environnantes. Le marché de Gaya est le principal marché urbain pour le maïs avec des liens transfrontaliers. Maradi, Tounfafi et Diffa sont des marchés de regroupement régionaux et des marchés transfrontaliers pour le Niger et d’autres pays de la région. C'est dans ces marchés que vont régulièrement acheter leur nourriture les ménages et les éleveurs des régions déficitaires en céréales du nord. Agadez et Zinder sont également d’importants marchés nationaux et régionaux. Nguigmi et Abalak se trouvent dans des zones pastorales, où la population dépend largement des marchés céréaliers pour leur approvisionnement alimentaire. Ces deux marchés sont particulièrement importants pendant la saison des pluies, lorsque les éleveurs sont confinés dans la zone pastorale.

Au Sénégal, le riz, le mil, le sorgho et le maïs constituent la base de l’alimentation des ménages. L’arachide représente aussi bien une source importante de protéine et communément une culture de rente. Le riz importé est consommé quotidiennement par la grande majorité des ménages, particulièrement dans les centres urbains de Dakar et Touba. Le riz produit localement dans la vallée du fleuve Sénégal y est consommé. St. Louis est le principal marché dans la vallée du fleuve Sénégal. Le mil est consommé dans les régions centrales où Kaolack représente le marché régional le plus important. Le maïs est produit et consommé dans les zones autour de Kaolack,Tambacounda et dans la vallée du fleuve Sénégal. Du maïs est aussi importé, principalement du marché international. Il existe une forte demande pour tous les produits à Touba et à Dakar. La récolte des céréales et celle de l’arachide débutent en Octobre et les stocks de céréales locales baissent de niveau tout au long de l’année de commercialisation qui s’achève en Octobre.

Le Sénégal dépend plus des importations à partir du marché international, surtout le riz, que du commerce transfrontalier qui concerne essentiellement le bétail provenant du Mali et de la Mauritanie pour approvisionner Dakar et les marchés environnants.

In response to the 2012 food insecurity crisis in Lesotho, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) designed a three-year cycle programme to assist 18 500 households with agricultural inputs and know-how on agricultural technologies helping communities to adapt to climate change, building their resilience to better withstand future shocks.

The programme promotes conservation agriculture (CA) and improved home gardening and nutrition in all ten districts of Lesotho. CA involves sustainable agricultural methods based on three principles: minimum disturbance of the soil, permanent soil cover and crop rotations/intercropping. Soil erosion is a major problem in Lesotho affecting both the quality and quantity of harvests. By adopting CA, farmers not only ensure better harvests but also contribute to the improvement of soil quality and its preservation.

FAO distributed a package of maize and bean seeds, fertilizers, and a vegetable seeds kit and trained farmers on conservation agriculture (CA) and improved home gardening (HG) in the first year of the programme. Beneficiaries of the programme then received support with cover crops so the soil could be protected; 11 000 received this support in 2013. An additional 7 500 families received 25kg of wheat seeds to start cultivating cover crop in their fields. This support will continue with the distribution of grazing vetch (a type of cover crop) among farmers through 2014. In this manner, it is expected that beneficiaries will be able to progressively practice the key principles of CA and discover the enormous benefits for the soil and increases in production.

The Emergency and Resilience Programme is implemented with financial support from the European Union’s Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), the Government of Belgium, the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the UK’s Department For International Development (DFID).

FAO implements this programme jointly with the MAFS through the extension officers operating in all Agricultural Resource Centres in each district providing training and technical support to beneficiaries. In order to facilitate this task, FAO and the National Conservation Agriculture Task Force in Lesotho (NCATF) have developed visual training materials which are being used by extension staff of the MAFS to train farmers on CA. 420 training kits in English and Sesotho apart from leaflets for beneficiaries have been distributed to all resource centres of the country along with the wheat seeds. These partnerships share the ambition to scale up the promotion of Conservation Agriculture nationwide.

FAO Lesotho remains committed to supporting communities in Lesotho and continuing the promotion of diversified agricultural production that protects the environment and the capacity of future generations to produce nutritious food.

Most households in Southern Africa depend on maize as their main source of food and energy, given the high volumes and ease with which it is produced. Alternative food crops that are consumed as substitutes include rice, wheat, sorghum, millet, and tubers such as cassava and potatoes. Consumption of these substitutes occurs mainly when maize is not available or among those households in areas where such substitutes are more easily available (for example, cassava in northern Mozambique). The majority of rural households do grow the other cereals — especially sorghum and millet, which are more drought resilient — in relatively small quantities as a buffer in bad production years for maize. Furthermore, wealthier households (especially in urban areas) with access to a variety of costlier cereals (such as rice and wheat) do consume them to diversify their diets. While wheat is widely consumed in the form of bread, it is produced in relatively small quantities in the region. South Africa is the only country that produces substantial amounts, but still in quantities insufficient to meet domestic requirements. South Africa is also the region’s major producer of maize and acts as a major supplier and exporter. In years of relative maize surplus, sizable amounts of both formal and informal cross border trade occurs between neighboring countries.

West Africa can be divided into three agro-ecological zones or three different trade basins (West Basin, Central Basin and East Basin). Both important for understanding market behavior and dynamics.

The three major agro-ecological zones are the Sahelian, the Sudanese and the Coastal zones where production and consumption can be easily classified. (1) In the Sahelian zone, millet is the principal cereal cultivated and consumed particularly in rural areas and increasingly, when accessible, in urban areas. Exceptions include Cape Verde where maize and rice are most important, Mauritania where sorghum and maize are staples, and Senegal with rice. The principal substitutes in the Sahel are sorghum, rice, and cassava flour (Gari), the latter two in times of shortage. (2) In the Sudanese zone (southern Chad, central Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, southern Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Serra Leone, Liberia) maize and sorghum constitute the principal cereals consumed by the majority of the population. They are followed by rice and tubers, particularly cassava and yam. (3) In the Coastal zone, with two rainy seasons, yam and maize constitute the most important food products. They are supplemented by cowpea, which is a significant source of protein.

The three trade basins are known as the West, Central, and East basins. In addition to the north to south movement of particular commodities, certain cereals flow horizontally. (1) The West basin refers to Mauritania, Senegal, western Mali, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and The Gambia where rice is most heavily traded. (2) The Central basin consists of Côte d'Ivoire, central and eastern Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Togo where maize is commonly traded. (3) The East basin refers to Niger,
Nigeria, Chad, and Benin where millet is traded most frequently. These three trade basins are shown on the map above.

Acute food insecurity continues in conflict prone areas of the northeast

Key Messages

• Boko Haram conflict in the northeast continues to lead to increasing population displacements and disruptions in market and trade flows into the region. Typical cultivation activities in the region are also negatively impacted at this, the beginning of the main cultivation season. Poor households in Borno and Yobe States continue to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) acute food insecurity and Adamawa State is Stressed (IPC Phase 2) through September.

• Poor households in Niger State continue to face an early lean season period as they are yet to recover from the below average 2013/14 main harvest. Their relatively high dependency on market purchase is slightly tempered by atypically stable prices compared to previous months and early green harvests, though, this is unable to completely off-set their increased need for purchase, and they will face Stressed (IPC Phase 2) acute food insecurity through September.

• The growing season is evolving normally in many areas across the country. The short dry spells in north central areas have limited impacts on crop development, though localized crop replanting is occurring in some affected areas. The early onset of the growing season in many areas across the country, particularly in the south, resulted in good early green harvests, increased wild food and market stock availability, and reduced prices for most staple foods.

Key Messages

• In West Africa, 2013/14 grain harvests were near-average in the Sahel and trade flows and market supplies were average in May. Below-average production in Mauritania, eastern Niger, and northern Chad resulted in atypical price increases. Rice imports from international markets contributed food availability in coastal countries.

• In East Africa, sorghum prices continued to increase sharply in Sudan due to the effects of below-average production in 2013. Conflict continues to constrain trade flows in northern and eastern South Sudan, southern Somalia, and the Darfur and South Kordofan in states in Sudan. Maize prices declined southern Tanzania due to improving local market supplies, but increased in Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Uganda with the progression of the lean season.

• In Southern Africa, The 2014/15 consumption year started with a sharp decline in staple food prices from April to May as harvests improved availability region-wide. Regional cereal availability is expected to be between 10 and 15 percent above 2013/14 levels with sufficient production in the surplus-producing countries of South Africa, Zambia, and Tanzania to meet regional import requirements.

• In Haiti, staple food prices were stable due to adequate food availability countrywide following early local harvests. In Central America, red bean prices increased atypically from December through May in Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador due to a below-average Primera harvest and increased regional and export demand. Local and imported rice prices remained stable throughout the region. Global coffee prices increased by over 75 percent since December 2013 due to poor harvests prospects in key South American exporting countries.

• In Central Asia, wheat flour prices remained stable in May due to the availability recent above-average harvests and the availability of imports from Kazakhstan and Pakistan.

• International rice prices remained stable in May 2014 (Figure 2). Maize prices were stable as global stocks replenished. Wheat prices were stable as global production prospects improved. The probability of an El Nino occurring in 2014 continues to rise, and could affect staple food production in key exporting countries in late 2014 and early 2015. Crude oil prices were stable.

Interpretación de los datos: A nivel nacional el precio del quintal de maíz pasó de Q128.00 en mayo de 2014 a Q132.00 en junio de 2014, lo cual representa un aumento del 3 por ciento, el incremento es normal y se da todos los años en este mes, lo cual es debido a que actualmente no existe cosecha del grano en el país, el maíz que surte actualmente los principales mercados proviene de excedentes almacenados de las cosechas de las Regiones del Norte y Oriente del país e ingreso de grano de origen mexicano. Algo importante de resaltar es que hay suficiente grano en los mercados, por lo que se espera que los precios durante julio y agosto se mantengan estables y a partir de septiembre los precios tiendan a la baja debido al inicio de la cosecha del ciclo de cultivo establecido en mayo.

El precio cotizado durante de junio se mantiene dentro de los rangos normales, En la gráfica 1 se muestra la serie histórica del precio durante los últimos siete años, los precios se mantuvieron entre la media de Q114.00 a Q138.00, fue en junio del 2011 cuando se presentó el precio más alto siendo de Q214.00 por quintal, este incremento –según informe de monitoreo de granos de FAO en julio de 2011- fue debido a la especulación de precios motivada por la utilización de maíz en la elaboración de biocumbustibles.

L’insécurité alimentaire aigüe sous Stress se poursuit dans le nord du pays

Messages clés

• Dans le Nord du pays, où l’insécurité alimentaire aiguë est sous Stress (Phase 2 de l’IPC), la situation alimentaire demeure plus difficile qu’habitude pour les ménages agropastoraux pauvres pendant leur période de soudure. En plus, avec les prix élevés des denrées de base (au-dessus de la moyenne quinquennale), leur accès à la nourriture limité dans un contexte de revenus faibles ne permettant pas de satisfaire les besoins de protection des moyens d’existence.

• Toutefois, dans cette partie du pays, les difficultés d’abreuvement des animaux signalées au cours des mois précédents commencent à se résorber avec l’installation précoce des pluies qui permet également la régénération progressive des pâturages et améliorant ainsi l’alimentation du bétail.

• Dans le reste du pays, l’accès à la nourriture des ménages est marqué par des niveaux de prix des denrées de base similaires, voire en-dessous de la moyenne quinquennale et par une disponibilité des produits forestiers et de cueillette, permettant aux ménages pauvres de vivre une période de soudure plutôt habituelle.

Insécurité alimentaire aigue de Crise attendue localement au pic de la soudure

Messages clés

• Suite aux des achats de céréales à des prix élevés sur une période plus longue que d’habitude, les ménages pauvres dans certaines zones agricoles et agropastorales ne sont pas capables de couvrir les besoins non alimentaires entre juin et août 2014. Entre juillet et août, cette situation traduit une insécurité alimentaire aigue de Stress (Phase 2 de l’IPC) et même de Crise (Phase 3 de l’IPC) dans une minorité de zones.

• Suite aux effets de la hausse des prix des céréales, les revenus des ménages éleveurs continuent de s’amenuiser et ne permettent plus de satisfaire touts les besoins non alimentaires en juin. Les ménages pauvres localisés surtout dans les zones pastorales des régions de Diffa, Tahoua, Tillabéri et Zinder sont encore en Stress (Phase 2 de l’IPC) de l’insécurité alimentaire aigue.

• Les prévisions saisonnières annoncent une situation pluviométrique globalement normale. Si ces prévisions continuent de se confirmer, la situation alimentaire sera marquée dans les mois à venir par un renforcement de l’offre de céréales sur les marchés et une amélioration des conditions pastorales, mais le niveau des prix de céréales qui va rester plus élevé que la normale.

Les appuis humanitaires empêchent une détérioration de l’insécurité alimentaire

Messages clés

• La baisse des termes de l’échange bétail/céréales par rapport à la moyenne observée dans les zones pastorales à cause des conditions d’élevage plus mauvaises que d’habitude réduit l’accès aux marchés pour les pasteurs. Ils seront en l’insécurité alimentaire aiguë de type Stress (Phase 2 ! de l’IPC) à cause de ces mauvais termes de l’échange et les effets négatifs du conflit sur les activités économiques dans la zone.

• Pendant le pic de la soudure agropastorale (juillet à septembre), l’insécurité alimentaire de niveau Stress (Phase 2 ! de l’IPC) dans la bande du fleuve des régions du nord, les zones agropastorales du cercle de Gourma Rharous et le plateau de Bandiagara ne connaitra pas de détérioration plus profonde à cause des appuis humanitaires projetées.

L’irrégularité des pluies en zone soudanienne pourrait affecter la performance des cultures

Messages clés

• Les pluies de mai et début juin ne sont pas régulières comme en année normale et l’anomalie du cumul par rapport à la moyenne des 5 dernières années montre dans la plupart des régions du sud un déficit léger à modéré voir sévère. Ce déficit a déjà causé des ré-semis et de léger flétrissement des cultures.

• Les retournés de la République Centrafricaine (RCA) continuent d’affluer et grâce à l’assistance en cours, ils sont en phase d’insécurité alimentaire Minimale (Phase 1 d'IPC). Quant aux populations hôtes, les prémices normales de juillet vont améliorer la situation alimentaire des ménages des zones d’accueil (Moyen Chari, Mandoul et Logone Oriental), et seront en phase Minimale (Phase 1 de l’IPC) entre juillet et septembre.

• Les prix des denrées de base (sorgho et mais) sont en hausse dans les régions hôtes du Sud en raison de la forte demande émanant des retournés. Ces prix élevés rendent l’accès alimentaire actuel difficile pour les ménages pauvres dans les régions affectés

Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone: The Ebola outbreak that started at the beginning of 2014 has resurged, with more than 635 cases recorded, including 399 deaths, as of 23 June. WHO is urging a wider, inter-country response to the subregional crisis.

South Sudan: SAM was found to be at 6% from a screening of 500,000 children. In Bentiu UN base, the under-five mortality rate has passed the emergency threshold. 2,300 cases of cholera have been reported.

Iraq: Nearly 2,000 people, including 1,393 civilians were killed in June, the highest figure since May 2007. 1.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, a 300% increase from February 2014. ISIL declared a Sunni caliphate spreading from Aleppo in Syria to Diyala in Iraq.

Pakistan: Some 468,000 newly displaced by military operations in North Waziristan are reportedly living in poor conditions. Concern for the spread of polio is high, as the region is a hotspot for the disease. Attacks in North Waziristan continue.

Updated: 01/07/2014. Next update: 08/07/2014

Global Emergency Overview Web Interface

1 juillet 2014 – Le Secrétaire général des Nations Unies, Ban Ki-moon, a condamné lundi soir une attaque au Mali qui a causé la mort d'un Casque bleu de la Mission des Nations Unies dans ce pays (MINUSMA) et blessé plusieurs autres.

L'attaque a eu lieu lundi à 30 km à l'ouest de Tombouctou, où l'explosion d'un engin explosif improvisé a tué un Casque bleu burkinabé et blessé six autres Casques bleus de la mission onusienne.

« Le Secrétaire général présente ses condoléances à la famille de la victime ainsi qu'au gouvernement et au peuple du Burkina Faso. Il souhaite un prompt rétablissement aux blessés », a indiqué le porte-parole de M. Ban dans un communiqué de presse.

« Ce crime commis à l'encontre des membres du personnel des Nations Unies, alors qu'ils remplissaient leur mandat, n'affectera pas la détermination des Nations Unies à soutenir le peuple malien dans ses efforts d'aboutir à une paix durable et à la stabilité de leur pays tel que stipulé dans la résolution 2164 (du 25 juin 2014) du Conseil de Sécurité », a-t-il souligné.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CAR)
70 DEAD AND 10,000 DISPLACED IN BAMBARI
IDPs CONTINUE TO DECREASE IN THE CAPITAL

The situation in Bambari following last week’s clashes remains tense. An estimated 70 people have been killed, 150 homes destroyed and 10,000 people displaced to several IDP sites in Bambari town. A rapid needs evaluation is underway.

CAMEROON
3,000 NEW CAR REFUGEES ARRIVE THIS WEEK

New refugees continue to arrive in Cameroon, with more than 3,000 new arrivals this week, bringing the total to 106,000. A new cycle of food distributions began on 21 June targeting 75,000 CAR evacuees. As of 25 June, food had been provided to 8,000 people.

FLOODS
FLOODS IN COTE D’IVOIRE , GHANA, GUINEA BISSAU

A recent assessment reveals that over 13,000 people have been affected by heavy rains in June in Ghana. In Cote d’Ivoire 700 people were affected and 12 killed in Abidjan this week. In Guinea Bissau, 800 families were affected by rains and heavy winds in the East with heavy rains forecast in in the country for 2014.

MALI
MINUSMA MANDATE EXTENDED

On 25 June, the Security Council extended the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) for one year through 30 June 2015.

NIGERIA
77 KILLED IN STRING OF ATTACKS ACROSS, ABUJA, BAUCHI, AND BORNO
A string of attacks in Abuja, Maiduguri, Chibok District, and Bauchi state killed 77 people in less than one week. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, though they are largely attributed to insurgency group Boko Haram.

GUINEA/LIBERIA/SIERRA LEONE
9 PER CENT INCREASE IN EBOLA CASELOAD IN PAST WEEK
11 COUNTRIES TO MEET TO TACKLE OUTBREAK

WHO reported this week that there are presently 687 cases of Ebola which have resulted in 427 deaths, representing a 9 per cent increase in the number of cases reported and an 8 per cent increase in the number of deaths reported since last week. Highest reported increases of cases and deaths occurred in Sierra Leone. Health ministers from 11 countries in the region will be meeting in Accra from 2-3 July to discuss cooper

1 July 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned an improvised explosive device explosion in northern Mali which killed a United Nations peacekeeper and injured six other ‘blue helmets.’

In a statement issued yesterday through his spokesperson, Mr. Ban extended his deepest condolences to the family of the victim, as well as the Government and people of Burkina Faso from where the peacekeeper hailed. He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

The explosion occurred yesterday about 30 km west of Timbuktu. The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) is in the area to protect civilians, support national political dialogue and reconciliation, and provide support to State authority.

“This crime, committed against United Nations personnel as they carried out their mandate, will not diminish the resolve of the United Nations to support the Malian people in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to their country,” Mr. Ban said in reference to MINUSMA’s mandate in Security Council resolution 2164 (2014).

Despite initial improvements in 2013, the situation in northern Mali has deteriorated since the beginning of this year. Recent violence, mostly targeting Malian and international security forces, has contributed to an overall sense of insecurity that has impeded the return to normalcy and resumption of economic and development activities.

1. The present report, which covers the period from January to December 2013, is submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 2068 (2012), by which the Council requested me to continue to submit annual reports on the implementation of its resolutions and presidential statements on children and armed conflict.

2. The report highlights global trends regarding the impact of armed conflict on children in 2013 and the main activities and initiatives with regard to the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions and the conclusions of its Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. In follow-up to the previous report (A/67/845-S/2013/245), it provides an update on the cooperation among partners to the children and armed conflict agenda, including within the United Nations system.

3. In line with the resolutions of the Security Council on children and armed conflict, the present report includes in its annexes a list of parties that engage in the recruitment and use of children, sexual violence against children, the killing and maiming of children, recurrent attacks on schools and/or hospitals and recurrent attacks or threats of attacks against protected personnel, in contravention of international law.

4. All information presented in this report has been documented, vetted, and verified for accuracy by the United Nations. In situations where the ability to obtain or independently verify information is hampered by factors such as insecurity or access restrictions, it is qualified as such. The preparation of the report involved broad consultations within the United Nations, at Headquarters and in the field, and with relevant Member States.

5. Pursuant to Security Council resolution 1612 (2005), and in identifying situations that fall within the scope of her mandate, my Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict is guided by the criteria found in international humanitarian law and international jurisprudence for determining the existence of an armed conflict. In the implementation of her mandate, my Special Representative has adopted a pragmatic and cooperative approach on the issue, with an emphasis on humanitarian principles, aimed at ensuring broad and effective protection for children affected by conflict in situations of concern. Reference to a situation is not a legal determination, and reference to a non-State party does not affect its legal status.

"Chad exemplifies many of the common problems of the whole Sahel zone," said Robert Piper, Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel, during a recent visit to the country. "We need a long term vision to tackle chronic issues and increase the resilience of families."

The Sahel – a region that stretches across the southern fringe of the Sahara desert– is home to some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. Its eastern edge extends through central Chad.

Like other Sahel countries, the major humanitarian concerns in Chad's Sahel zone are malnutrition and food insecurity. Currently, 2.6 million people are food insecure in Chad, up from 2.1 million in 2013. Four of the five administrative regions in the Sahel report levels of food insecurity between 30 and 37 percent. In the fifth region, Wadi Fira on the border with Sudan, a staggering 61 per cent of people are food insecure.

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**La ayuda humanitaria brindará asistencia a 20.000 personas para mejorar su seguridad alimentaria

Managua, 30 de junio de 2014.- La Comisión Europea va a proporcionar un millón de dólares (750.000 euros) para asistir a las personas en situación de inseguridad alimentaria afectadas, entre otros, por la plaga de roya en el café en Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras y Guatemala. La ayuda humanitaria llegará a unas 20.000 personas y consiste en distribución de alimentos, transferencia de efectivo y asistencia técnica para recuperar sus medios de vida y mejorar su seguridad alimentaria. Las operaciones serán llevadas a cabo en el terreno por Oxfam y el Programa Mundial de Alimentos de Naciones Unidas (PMA).

“Nuestra ayuda va dirigida a la población más vulnerable y con mayor grado de inseguridad alimentaria, como son las familias de pequeños productores y jornaleros que dependen de la producción de café”, afirmó Virginie André, responsable de la oficina en Centroamérica del Departamento de Ayuda Humanitaria y Protección Civil de la Comisión Europea (ECHO). “Niños menores de cinco años de edad, mujeres embarazadas, ancianos y personas con discapacidad se beneficiarán de la asistencia europea”, añadió.

Las proyecciones para el sector cafetalero regional siguen siendo sombrías. Para la temporada 2013/2014 se espera un descenso de entre el 16 y el 32% comparada con el ciclo 2011/2012 (previo a la roya). Además, la caída del precio internacional del grano se redujo hasta casi un 60% desde la cosecha del 20111. Según los expertos, la disminución en la producción puede prolongarse de tres a cinco años y verse agravada por el fenómeno de ‘El Niño’, el cual podría afectar a la región a partir de julio causando lluvias irregulares por debajo de la precipitación promedio histórica.

"La disminución en los empleos temporales y en las reservas de alimentos, junto a la continua alza en los precios de los mismos, tiene un impacto severo en la capacidad de las familias para cubrir sus necesidades alimentarias. Por ello, nuestra ayuda hace parte de los esfuerzos dirigidos a garantizar una respuesta oportuna y coordinada con las entidades nacionales correspondientes que permita evitar una crisis aún más severa”, concluyó Virginie André.

ECHO proporcionará 250.000 euros a su socio humanitario Oxfam para apoyar a 330 familias de los departamentos salvadoreños de Usulután (municipios de Alegría y Berlín) y La Libertad (municipios de Antiguo Cuscatlán y Tamanique). Los fondos también permitirán asistir a 600 familias nicaragüenses procedentes de 13 comunidades rurales de los municipios de El Cuá y Jinotega en el departamento homónimo a este último.

El PMA recibirá 250.000 euros para proteger los medios de vida y evitar el deterioro de la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional de unas 1.100 familias afectadas por la roya del café en Honduras. Las operaciones se llevarán a cabo en la provincia de El Paraíso en la municipalidad del mismo nombre y en el municipio de El Alauca.

En Guatemala, ECHO ha destinado 250.000 euros al PMA para atender a unas 1.200 familias en situación de inseguridad alimentaria grave y moderada de los municipios de El Quetzal, El Tumbador y La Reforma en el departamento de San Marcos.

Antecedentes

Centroamérica está experimentando una de las peores epidemias de la roya del café, una enfermedad que reduce los rendimientos y la calidad del grano. La roya se propagó de forma espectacular en el segundo semestre de 2012 causando daños considerables a las plantaciones. Los pequeños productores y jornaleros están siendo los más afectados por esta crisis, que ocurre después de varios años de sequías consecutivas y ha comprometido su seguridad alimentaria. El café es uno de los cultivos más importantes en el sector agrícola de la región y fuente de ingresos clave para unos 300.000 pequeños productores1. Representa asimismo un 9% de la producción mundial de café. Desde 1994, la Comisión Europea, a través de su Departamento de Ayuda Humanitaria y Protección Civil (ECHO), ha aportado 198 millones de euros en ayuda humanitaria para México y Centroamérica. En el período 2012-2013, ECHO destinó 2.8 millones de euros para dar respuesta a emergencias y 12.2 millones de euros para la reducción de riesgo ante desastres a través del programa DIPECHO y la iniciativa de resiliencia ante la sequía en el Corredor Seco Centroamericano. Además, desde 2013 ECHO está atendiendo las consecuencias humanitarias de la violencia en el triángulo norte de Centroamérica y México con una financiación de 2 millones de euros.

Más información sobre la ayuda humanitaria de la Comisión Europea: http://ec.europa.eu/echo

Página de Centroamérica: http://ec.europa.eu/echo/aid/central_south_america/centralamerica_en.htm

En Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ec.humanitarian.aid En Twitter: https://twitter.com/eu_echo

Contactos:

Virginie ANDRE
Responsable para Centroamérica
Comisión Europea – Departamento de Ayuda Humanitaria y Protección Civil (ECHO)
Tel.: +505 2270 6186 virginie.andre@echofield.eu

Isabel Coello
Oficial de Información para América Latina y Caribe
Comisión Europea – Departamento de Ayuda Humanitaria y Protección Civil (ECHO)
Cel.: +505 888 39079 isabel.coello@echofield.eu

Gunter GADEA - Oficial de Prensa e Información
Delegación de la Unión Europea en Nicaragua
Tel: (505) 2280-9572 – 88104741 Gunter-Ivan.GADEA-BARBERENA@eeas.europa.eu

Sergio De León - Oficial de Prensa
Delegación de la Unión Europea en Guatemala
Tel. +502 2384 2596 Sergio.De-Leon@eeas.europa.eu

Jaime GÓMEZ LARA - Asuntos Políticos e Información
Delegación de la Unión Europea El Salvador
Tel: +503 2243 2424, ext. 123 Jaime-Ernesto.GOMEZ-LARA@eeas.europa.eu

Lisa Marcela ARIAS DIAZ - Responsable de Prensa
Delegación de la UE en Honduras
+504 2239 9991 Lisa-Marcela.ARIAS-DIAZ@eeas.europa.eu