Minimal acute food insecurity outcomes to prevail across the region
KEY MESSAGES
• Most rural households across the region will maintain Minimal (IPC Phase 1) food insecurity outcomes between April and June, relying mainly on own produced food stocks from the main season harvest. However, a few localized areas in southern Mozambique will experience Minimal (IPC Phase 1) and Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes in the presence of assistance, while parts of Lesotho will experience Minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes in the presence of humanitarian assistance between April and June.
• From July to September, food insecurity for the majority of poor households across the region will continue to be Minimal (IPC Phase 1) with many continuing to access most of their food from the main season harvest and less from market purchases. However in localized parts of the region, including parts of Mozambique, Malawi, and parts of southern and western Zambia, where poor households are facing poor main harvest prospects, Stressed (IPC Phase 2) acute food insecurity outcomes are expected.
• The projected near-average maize harvests across the region are expected to be sufficient to meet regional requirements for the next six months and beyond. According to current production forecasts, regional cereal availability is projected to be at almost the same levels as the previous year and marginally above the past five-year average. These expected maize levels are mainly due to mixed crop growth and development conditions across the region, along with rain performance that can be characterized as generally poor. Compared to last season, only a few countries experienced more favorable conditions this season.