Food security improves in most East Africa countries

Saturday, June 29, 2013

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Food security outcomes have improved in many countries in East Africa due to normal and above average rainfalls in many African countries, a latest food security update published on Saturday indicates.

Experts working at the Famine Early Warning System (FEWS Net) reported improved food security although 12.9 million people remain in “Stressed, Crisis, and Emergency” in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Rwanda.

“Further improvements in food security are anticipated with upcoming harvests in June and July. However, in many countries in East Africa, food security outcomes have recently improved,” FEWS Net said in the latest update released in Nairobi.

The main reason for the improved food security outcomes is average or above average agricultural and livestock production in many parts of the region.

According to FEWS Net, staple food prices are likely to continue to increase through June in Kenya and Somalia until the rains harvest outside of the grain belt begins in July.

“In most markets of Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, staple prices are expected to continue to rise seasonably through September as stocks from the previous harvest deplete before the harvests begin in October,” it says.

The experts recommend improved social protection policies to address the vulnerability of the poorest, including cash transfers or subsidies.

According to FEWS Net, food security is expected to deteriorate through September in the conflict-affected parts of Sudan, the border areas of Sudan and South Sudan, and areas affected by conflict within South Sudan as well as in the belg producing areas of the northeastern highlands of Ethiopia.

In the areas relying on the June to September rains and harvest between October and January in Ethiopia, Sudan, and South Sudan, food security is expected to seasonally deteriorate with the start of the May/June to September lean seasons, FEWS Net said.

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