Minimal levels of seasonal food insecurity for most of the population
KEY MESSAGES
Food availability in most livelihood zones is favorable due to better than average local cereal harvests, the jump-starting of domestic trade and trade with Mali in rainfed agriculture areas, a regular flow of commercial imports, normal levels of seasonal income, and the continued operation of so-called “boutiques de solidarité” (government-subsidized shops).
However, an estimated 5,000 poor farming households in wadi and oasis areas where last year’s poor rainfall conditions sharply reduced the size of viable cropping areas and resulting streams of household incomes are stressed (IPC Phase 2).
For the time being, only the Bassikounou department is feeling the effects of the Malian conflict on the cross-border movement of people and goods, which has seen an influx of more than 13,000 Malian refugees since the middle of January. Elsewhere, Malian and Mauritanian cereal traders are continuing to supply Mauritanian markets in rainfed agriculture and agropastoral areas.
