Elevated acute food insecurity likely following flooding and civil insecurity
Several months after unusually widespread flooding (July to October) caused substantial population displacement and crop damage; flood‐affected households have yet to fully recover their livelihoods. A recent joint assessment with FEWS NET, OCHA, WFP, CILSS, and NEMA to three areas (zones 1, 2, and 3 in Figure 1) revealed that flood damage was more severe than initially anticipated. Resulting declines in crop production and cash income, combined with high food prices and civil insecurity are likely to result in atypical levels of acute food insecurity through September. Stressed (IPC Phase 2) food security outcomes have already been observed in the worst‐affected areas and localized Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are likely. Food insecurity, as well as any requests for external emergency assistance, should be monitored.