A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
This Food Security crisis is a regional crisis affecting the Sahel area, consequently this appeal is part of wider response in the Region and is included in the IFRC Sahel Food Insecurity Regional Operational Strategic Plan. Africa DMU and IFRC Sahel Regional Office has identified 6 strategic areas that would be best appropriate to help expedite the response actions by National Societies and enable the regional office to provide appropriate and timely action. These comprise the following: information gathering and data analysis; communication and advocacy; coordination of project design DREF/Appeals; resource mobilization & enhancing partnerships; timely monitoring and evaluation and accountability and quality assurance.
The 2014 crop year in Senegal was characterized by a late start and poor distribution of rains. Many crops (mainly the cereal crops) have not been in normal development. This has had a negative impact on agricultural production for the 2014-2015 season.
According to the preliminary cereal production forecast (2014-2015) done by the regional Harmonized Framework for Food Security, led by Government via the early warning system in Senegal in March 2015, agricultural crops 2014-2015 campaign show that Senegal has decreased cereal production by 16% compared to the average of the past 5 years due to rainfall deficit and breaks throughout the period from June to October 2014. Indeed, national cereal production is estimated at 1,270,937 tons and will cover about 51% of the national cereal needs (2,499,112 tons).
For cash products compared to the average of the last five years, groundnut has decreased by 20% and cotton decreased by 9%.
In addition to that, and after the rising of cereals (millet, maize and sorghum) in October 2014), they remained relatively stable over the last two months (as it is shown in the last Harmonized Framework –March 2015). Some markets at the border with Guinea were closed due to the Ebola outbreak. The outbreak in Guinea had negative impact in South borders of Senegal (Casamance, Tambacounda and Kédougou), several markets were closed to prevent transmission from Guinea and this decision impacted highly on food prices and the local economy in general.
The results of the survey held in October 2014 for Rural Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition (ERASAN), in what CRS participated as an active partner, revealed that 30% of rural households suffer from sever food insecurity. The situation is more worrying in regions of the Saint Louis, Matam, Louga, Ziguinchor, Kolda, Sedhiou and Tambacounda.
