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Food Security and Humanitarian Implications in West Africa and the Sahel. N°55 - April 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 PRESAO 17 climatic forecasts indicate the expected rainfall in 2014 will likely be inferior than in 2013. Lower than average rainfalls are forecasted in most parts of Guinea, Senegal, the Gambia and in some areas of Mali and Mauritania. The rains' start and end dates are expected to be late to normal on almost all parts of West Africa. An update of this data is expected by end of May – early June. Ongoing conflicts in the Central African Republic and in Nigeria are maintaining the influx of refugees in Sahelian countries, notably in Niger and in Chad. Emergency humanitarian assistance is needed for most of the refugees and affected host population. The FAO global food price index is at its highest level since May 2013 due to price increases in all commodities, excluding milk. This situation can be explained by the poor crops forecasts in the US and in Brazil as well as the geopolitics turmoil in the Black Sea area. The impact in West Africa of this global prices increase needs to b e monitored closely.

Language English

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    In West Africa and the Sahel, cereal harvests have allowed prices to decrease across markets. However, prices are higher than their five-year averages (especially for millet and sorghum), which negatively affects vulnerable households depending on markets to meet their food requirements. Zones that experienced erratic rainfall during the rainy season, causing poor harvests and pasture deficits, will face an early lean season affecting mainly the most vulnerable households. The effects of poor ha rvests are starting to be observed in some areas in Mali (Mopti and Bandiagara), Mauritania (agropastoral, rainfed and suburban livelihood zones), Niger and Chad (Wadi Fira). The situation needs to be closely monitored to avoid any further deterioration of the food security situation. A good off-season agricultural campaign will be crucial for the people depending on agriculture in the Sahel, particularly for those that were affected by poor harvests earlier this year.
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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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