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Food Security and Humanitarian Implications in West Africa and the Sahel. N°57 - June 2014

Year of publication 2014

Pages 5p.

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 2014/2015 agricultural campaign is marked by a late start of the rainy season, particularly in Nigeria and in Cameroon, and by dry spells that occurred subsequent to sowing activities in localized areas in Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad. The lean season has started for most of rural households. This year is particularly difficult for households in some areas in Mauritania and Niger due to the early depletion of food stocks of households that depend on markets for their food consumption. Anothe r reason for the deterioration of the food security situation in the region is the civil unrest which still prevails in the Central African Republic, northern Nigeria and northern Mali, causing people to flee their homes and countries. In the three basins, commercial trade flows of agricultural commodities have functioned well between April and June 2014, as agricultural surpluses of the main exporting countries (Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria) reached food deficit areas in the Sahel re gion. The markets are well supplied due to destocking activities by traders, which have contributed to ease regional flows. However, price levels in May were more than 15 percent above their five year averages in northern Mali, Chad, Nouakchott in Mauritania and along the border between Niger and Nigeria. These elevated price levels will limit food access of poor and very poor households.

Language English

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    The areas experiencing a late start of agropastoral campaign, benefitted from a resumption of rainfall since the end of July. However, the Atlantic coast from (i) southern Mauritania to Guinée-Bissau, (ii) northeastern Niger and (iii) northern Ghana, Nigeria and Togo recorded rainfall deficits affecting negatively the agricultural activities. The late start of the rainy season in certain areas (Chad, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal) has extended the agricultural lean season, forcing vulnerable hou seholds to adopt irreversible coping mechanisms if they don’t have access to food assistance. Pastoralists households are already facing the effects of a prolonged lean season. Livestock presents a poor body condition and in some countries of the region loss of animals have been reported (Mali, Niger and Senegal). During the lean season, localized prices increases for millet and sorghum have been observed in Burkina and in Senegal and for millet in Mali. In the eastern commercial basin, price in creases are found in the insecure zones of northern Nigeria as well as in the displaced population sites in southern Chad and in Niger. However, food products availability remains satisfactory and allows a general stability of monthly prices of coarse grains in most of West African markets. In the three West African commercial basins, the commercial flows of agricultural products are in seasonal decrease between June and July 2014 for all cereals, except for millet. Generally, the level of suppl y in local markets remains satisfying in the sub-region, except in conflict-affected areas of northern Mali, of northeastern Nigeria, of C.A.R. and in the neighboring areas. The cross-border trade of countries affected by Ebola in the western commercial basin seems to be affected, as well as trade within the affected countries following quarantine measures taken in some districts. These disturbances have negative socio-economic consequences that might affect the food security of households. As f or now, markets in Nigeria have yet to seem affected by the Ebola outbreak, but the situation is being closely monitored.
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    Journal, magazine, bulletin
    Food Security and Humanitarian Implications in West Africa and the Sahel. N°56 - May 2014 2014
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    The 2014-2015 agricultural campaign has started in the region accompanied by heavy rains in the countries of the Gulf of Guinea and a calm desert locust situation. The precipitation deficit currently observed in Ghana and Nigeria should be monitored in the coming months. Concerning the Sahel countries, in addition to the zones that were affected by production deficits, the lean season has already started for the majority of rural households. Cereal prices, which are above their five-year average in the majority of the region, will likely create supply issues for poor households who will need assistance. The situation in the regions of Wadi Fira and Bahr-El-Ghazel in Chad, in the circle of Bandiagara in Mali, in Senegal, in Mauritania that experienced production deficits and in Niger where fodder deficit was registered should be monitored closely. Because of high prices, the poorest households in Ghana also face food access problem.
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    Journal, magazine, bulletin
    Food Security and Humanitarian Implications in West Africa and the Sahel. N°54 - March 2014 2014
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    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.
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