Food security improving in rural areas
Key Messages
In most of the country’s pastoral areas, food security conditions are improving due to the arrival of good Karan/Karma rains (July‐September) and due to favorable terms of trade for pastoralists. Forecasts for the rest of the season predict that the good rains will continue, which could improve food security.
Food security conditions for urban poor households are expected to remain critical during the coming months due to ongoing increases in staple food prices, aggravated by school costs as the academic year begins. Food insecurity is currently at the Stressed level (IPC Phase 2) and is expected to remain at that level through the scenario period.
Staple food prices are beginning to climb. There is currently a global trend, which Djibouti's staple food prices are expected to follow, towards rising costs for cereals, sugar, etc. due to the United States' drought and poor harvest forecasts in Russia. Food expenses make up the largest share of total household expenditures for poor households, and therefore rising food prices could negatively affect purchasing power.
In Ali Sabieh (Assamo region), conditions are not improving at the same rate observed in most other rural regions. Resident populations in this region were negatively affected by the rains, and displaced persons are overwhelming local populations. This group will continue to be in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) through at least December.