Highlights:
Following the 2011/2 Sahel crisis, protracted food insecurity continues into 2013 in pockets of the country. Humanitarian needs remain for 40,000 people affected subsequently by 2011 drought and 2012 floods in rural and vulnerable urban areas.
Overall food production recovers but remains below potential due to overabundant rains, scar-city of seeds and inaccessibility of fertilizer. Food availability through commercial markets is stable and covers domestic cereal needs. Food access remains a major challenge for a growing number of households due to high food prices and eroding purchasing power.
Groundnut farmers benefit from significantly better terms of trade and improved purchasing power than in 2011/12 due to increasing demand and price competition. Scarcity of seeds and low access to fertilizer remains a challenge and limits growth potential.
Annual food price inflation (at 6% in December 2012) remains above overall consumer price inflation (5%). Rice prices at retail level reach a new peak in the last quarter of 2012, at 11% above 2011 and 10% above the 2008 food price crisis levels. Introduction of Value Added Tax in 2013 spurs public debate over high food prices and increasing cost of living.
Outbreak of livestock disease puts at immediate risk half of national livestock population. While 4,000 heads of cattle are reported dead, over 56% of animals so far provided with vaccines.
Malnutrition levels (wasting) of children under-5 nearly reach ‘serious’ threshold at 9.9% in Sep-tember 2012. Two regions record ’critical’ levels of chronic malnutrition (stunting) at over 30%.
Recommendations for Government and Partners:
For immediate action (May—July)
Protracted humanitarian needs and deteriorating nutrition outcomes require continuation of countrywide livelihood and nutrition response in view of upcoming hungry season
Countrywide livestock vaccination should intensify to contain cattle pneumonia while support to affected cattle holders should be considered in view of upcoming hungry season
Comprehensive food security and livelihood assessment required to determine food security and livelihood status of rural households following the drought, floods and cattle disease
Rainfall, disease and food price monitoring requires significant strengthening and better linkage with policy and operational decision making processes to enable early action For mid- to long term action (4-18 Months)
Extension services should be strengthened and the involvement of local communities in early warning, disaster risk reduction and emergency response should be intensified
Development and relief interventions should be geared towards the strengthening of long-term household and community resilience in view of growing vulnerability to economic and climate shocks