Food Insecurity in West, Central and East Africa

Alerts in the West: Burkina Faso WFP fears that up to 75% of urban dwellers might be unable to access adequate food stocks as the struggle with the combined effects of a bad 2007 harvest and high global food prices (july food security survey) WFP fears that up to 75% of urban dwellers might be unable to access adequate food stocks as the struggle with the combined effects of a bad 2007 harvest and high global food prices (july food security survey) Civil unrest in cities due to price hikes Civil unrest in cities due to price hikes Rainy season from July to September could lead to flooding Rainy season from July to September could lead to flooding

Alerts in the West: GHANA Latest country in West Africa that announced its struggle to manage the national budget in the face of spiraling world food prices for fuel and food. Latest country in West Africa that announced its struggle to manage the national budget in the face of spiraling world food prices for fuel and food.

Alerts in the West :LIBERIA Every second household inrural and semi rural Liberia is food insecure; Every second household inrural and semi rural Liberia is food insecure; 62% of rice in Liberia is imported 62% of rice in Liberia is imported 92% of urban dwellers depend on imported rice 92% of urban dwellers depend on imported rice Rice price now stands at 29 USD per kg Rice price now stands at 29 USD per kg Only 2 months stock available in reserves Only 2 months stock available in reserves Huge impact expected on urban poor Huge impact expected on urban poor The 1979 riots were about rice costs and contributory factor to 14 years of war The 1979 riots were about rice costs and contributory factor to 14 years of war Liberia ’ s U5 mortality rate is the highest in the world Liberia ’ s U5 mortality rate is the highest in the world

Alerts in the West:NIGER Poorly functioning markets and very high grain prices Poorly functioning markets and very high grain prices Worsening food insecurity in various regions Worsening food insecurity in various regions Deteriorating terms of trade for farmers Deteriorating terms of trade for farmers Increased migration patterns (Maradi, Zinder,Diffa) Increased migration patterns (Maradi, Zinder,Diffa) Lean season from June – Aug might lead to further deterioration Lean season from June – Aug might lead to further deterioration 12% of the population experiences severe food insecurity already 12% of the population experiences severe food insecurity already

Alerts in the East: ETHIOPIA Due to the combined impact of drought, food price hikes, inflation (46%)and devaluation of livestock,some 4.6 million people are requiring emergency assistance (revised Joint Govt. &Partners Plan) Due to the combined impact of drought, food price hikes, inflation (46%)and devaluation of livestock,some 4.6 million people are requiring emergency assistance (revised Joint Govt. &Partners Plan) Conflict related vulnerability in the Ogaden continues to rise Conflict related vulnerability in the Ogaden continues to rise Rural vulnerability high until end of October, when harvests are due Rural vulnerability high until end of October, when harvests are due Alarming levels of food insecurity in the southern and south eastern regions Alarming levels of food insecurity in the southern and south eastern regions 75,000 children suffer from severe acute malnutrition already 75,000 children suffer from severe acute malnutrition already

Alerts in the East: ERITREA Food insecurity due to mixed rainfall patterns and inflation Food insecurity due to mixed rainfall patterns and inflation Devloping drought Devloping drought Some 2 million people could potentially be affected Some 2 million people could potentially be affected Regional tensions could lead to massive displacements further aggravating the situation Regional tensions could lead to massive displacements further aggravating the situation

Alerts in the East: DJIBOUTI Succesive droughts, high staple food prices, decreased remittances, high inflation, border conflict with Eritrea, limited stocks of food and lack of resources may lead to famine Succesive droughts, high staple food prices, decreased remittances, high inflation, border conflict with Eritrea, limited stocks of food and lack of resources may lead to famine Worst case scenario: 341,000 people affected (54% of the total population) Worst case scenario: 341,000 people affected (54% of the total population) Low rainfall in June (50-95% below normal) Low rainfall in June (50-95% below normal) High likelihood that urban poor are particularly vulnerable (unemployment, high prices, seasonal income decline) High likelihood that urban poor are particularly vulnerable (unemployment, high prices, seasonal income decline) Djibouti city experiences critical water shortages – water rationing in place Djibouti city experiences critical water shortages – water rationing in place Possible triggers for social unrest Possible triggers for social unrest

Alerts in the EAST: SOMALIA Low « gu » rains - many regions received less than 40% rain Low « gu » rains - many regions received less than 40% rain Harsh dry season -extensive drought Harsh dry season -extensive drought High inflation High inflation Negative impact on livestock Negative impact on livestock Lack of access & insecurity hampering delivery of assistance Lack of access & insecurity hampering delivery of assistance Lack of resources Lack of resources 3 million beneficiaries targeted /317,841 MT needed 3 million beneficiaries targeted /317,841 MT needed

Alerts in the East: CHAD High prices (60% increase compared to 2007), High prices (60% increase compared to 2007), Escalation of conflict and related access issues Escalation of conflict and related access issues Non return of IDPs to agricultural land, Non return of IDPs to agricultural land, Reduction of rations, Reduction of rations, 2 successive poor agricultural seasons 2 successive poor agricultural seasons Impact on urban poor and IDPS (180,000) and refugees( 250,000+60,000), 700,000 host families Impact on urban poor and IDPS (180,000) and refugees( 250,000+60,000), 700,000 host families

High Level Task Force on the Global Food crisis Developed a Comprehensive Framework of Action (CFA) of the UN system (including WB) Developed a Comprehensive Framework of Action (CFA) of the UN system (including WB) Structural crisis identified needing response to stabilise global food markets, increase investment, address trade issues (i.e. taxation) Structural crisis identified needing response to stabilise global food markets, increase investment, address trade issues (i.e. taxation) Bridge divides between humanitarian and development assistance : food aid and nutrition, smallholder farming and agriculture, local and regional food markets and global trade. Bridge divides between humanitarian and development assistance : food aid and nutrition, smallholder farming and agriculture, local and regional food markets and global trade.

Contributions so far WFP: 1.2 billion USD additional assistance for 62 countries WFP: 1.2 billion USD additional assistance for 62 countries CERF: 100 million USD reserve for food related emergency response CERF: 100 million USD reserve for food related emergency response UNICEF: 50 million USD for enhanaced nutrition assessments in 41 countries UNICEF: 50 million USD for enhanaced nutrition assessments in 41 countries IMF: 180 million USD (Poverty Reduction and Growth Program) – 10 countries IMF: 180 million USD (Poverty Reduction and Growth Program) – 10 countries FAO: distribtuion of seeds, fertilizer and other inputs in 54 countries (ISFP – Initiative on Soaring Food Prices) IFAD: 200 million USD reallocation for smallholder farmers to access inputs in 14 countries WB: 1.2 billion USD for expanding safety nets, agricultural inputs,critical imports (Food Crisis Response Program)

Issues/Questions The CFA is no funding instrument- how to move forward on financial needs to respond to the global food crisis? The CFA is no funding instrument- how to move forward on financial needs to respond to the global food crisis? How to facilitate country Level /regional level coordination mechanisms ? How to facilitate country Level /regional level coordination mechanisms ? How to synergize humanitarian and longer term development? How to synergize humanitarian and longer term development? How to strenghten early warning analysis and monitoring of impact of interventions? How to strenghten early warning analysis and monitoring of impact of interventions?