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Food Security and Humanitarian Implications in West Africa and the Sahel. N°54 - March 2014

Year of publication 2014

Pages 7p.

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Journal, magazine, bulletin

Series title Food Security and Humanitarian Implications in West Africa and the Sahel

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) The meeting of the Regional Consultation on Food and Nutritional Situation in the Sahel and West Africa (PREGEC) confirms the decrease in cereal production in the Sahel during the 2013/2014 agricultural campaign compared to last year. Significant production decreases have been recorded in several areas, notably in Chad, Mali, Niger and Senegal. Poor and very poor households living in these areas, which are also affected by the decrease in pasture production, are already facing food insecurity. T he markets will function normally until the lean season, when seasonal increases in cereal prices will be observed, especially for millet, the production of which decreased significantly (20 percent). According to the Harmonized Framework analysis, 26 zones out of 345 are identified as currently food insecure, with the situation reaching a crisis phase in Chad, Mali, Niger, Senegal and The Gambia. During the lean season (June to August 2014), an increase in the number of zones in crisis phase is expected, reaching 58 zones in total and extending to areas in Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mauritania. It is crucial to address the needs of these populations under pressure and to protect their livelihoods.

Language English

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    Food Security and Humanitarian Implications in West Africa and the Sahel. N° 60 - October/November 2014 2014
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    In the Sahel and in West Africa, the 2014-2015 agricultural campaign was characterized by a late onset and significant rainfall deficits in the western part of the Sahel (Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania and Senegal) and areas in Mali, Niger and Chad. Cereal production (excluding Niger and Mali) is likely experiencing an increase of 4 percent compared to last year and 8 percent compared to the five-year average. However, disparities exist between countries, particularly in weste rn Sahel where a significant production decrease, of more than 32 percent in comparison to the five-year average, is expected. Livestock body condition is generally satisfactory following the rangeland regeneration except for areas where rainfall deficits were recorded in western Mauritania, northern Senegal and areas around Lake Chad.
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    Food Security and Humanitarian Implications in West Africa and the Sahel. N°59 - September 2014 2014
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    In the region, recent rainfall contributed to reduce deficits in central Mali and northern Senegal. However, the deficits persist in some areas of the Atlantic side (Mauritania, Senegal and the Gambia) and in Nigeria. These deficits explain the delays in harvesting which prolonged the lean season of agricultural households. The regional consultation of the Regional System for the Prevention and Management of Food Crises (PREGEC), held in The Gambia, announced that the expected agricultural produ ctions (cereals and pulses) will likely be lower than the five-year average in the Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania and Senegal. This situation needs to be closely monitored as it will unavoidably affect income of agricultural households and their access to adequate food.
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