Unstable security conditions continue to affect food security in northern Mali
KEY MESSAGES
As of April 10th , only 28 percent of the consolidated appeal for humanitarian assistance has been funded, complicating the efficient delivery of assistance to northern populations. Northern pastoral areas will face “Crisis” levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase 3) during the pastoral lean season (April through July).
As of July, when milk production and livestock body conditions typically improve, even limited humanitarian assistance programs could reduce crisis conditions to IPC Phase 2 Stress levels.
Assistance efforts and the re-opening of local markets will keep pastoral populations in northern rice-growing and agropastoral areas in Phase 2 Stress throughout the outlook period.The limited livelihoods of poor households in northern rice-growing and agropastoral areas, compounded by food prices, rules out any improvement in the food security situation, particularly with these households becoming increasingly and seasonally dependent on local markets. Humanitarian programs will contribute to the maintenance of IPC Phase 2 Stress levels of food insecurity in these areas throughout the outlook period. With the more or less normal behavior of food security drivers, southern populations will continue to experience only “Minimal” levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase 1).
Trade between the southern and northern parts of the country has improved with the official re-opening of major roads connecting the north with the south and a resumption of trade with neighboring countries like Niger and Burkina Faso. Trade volumes from Algeria are less than normal, but remain steady. At 20 to 30 percent above the five-year average, food prices in the north prevent adequate food access, particularly in pastoral areas suffering from the slump in livestock sales and deteriorating pastoral conditions. Gradual economic improvements are not likely to result in major livelihoods change during the outlook period, which will be marked by the return of displaced populations.
