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Middle East and Asia

Middle East and Asia
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Middle East and Asia
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The Middle East and Asia region page is currently under construction. FEWS NET’s reporting on this region includes presence and remote monitoring coverage of Afghanistan, Lebanon, Tajikistan, Yemen, and special analysis of Gaza related to the ongoing conflict. 

The first Middle East and Asia regional report will be available on this page at the end of March 2024.

To learn more about FEWS NET’s acute food insecurity analysis and access resources for the Middle East and Asia region, please visit the country pages listed below.

Afghanistan Gaza Lebanon Tajikistan Yemen
Food Security Outlook
February - September 2024
March to May spring rains are expected to support national wheat production
  • At the peak of the lean season, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are present in northern, northeastern, and western parts of the county following the early depletion of food stocks from 2023's below-average harvest, limited income-earning opportunities, and a decline in remittances from Iran, which is keeping household purchasing power low. In urban areas, at least one in five households are engaging in coping strategies indicative of Crisis (IPC Phase 3) as high unemployment rates amid a large influx of returnees from Pakistan and Iran keep household access to casual labor opportunities low despite declining food prices. However, average March to May rainfall is expected to support wheat production and agricultural labor opportunities, improving household access to food and income. The start of the harvest in June is expected to improve household food access across the country, with area-level Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes emerging in northern parts of the country as they recover from the multi-year drought. However, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected to remain present in higher elevation areas, where the harvest does not typically occur until October, and household access to income for food purchases is expected to remain low.
  • Although cumulative precipitation from October through February was below average across the country, deficits are declining following good precipitation in late February. Average precipitation from March to May will further reduce cumulative deficits across the country and support wheat production in the spring. However, forecast high temperatures and likely below-average snowpack may impact water availability for irrigation during the summer. Snowpack development in March and April will be important for water availability in the summer for downstream areas where irrigated crops are cultivated. 
  • In January 2024, WFP assisted 7.4 million people through emergency food, cash, and nutrition support, distributing around 25,500 metric tons of food. At the end of January, WFP had 42,420 metric tons of food available in its in-country warehouses, while another 34,000 metric tons were either in transit or stored in WFP warehouses located outside the country, indicating there is HFA available through at least April 2024. Beneficiaries of the ongoing distribution of HFA will likely be Stressed! (IPC Phase 2!) through at least the peak of the lean season. 
  • In January 2024, staple food prices in Afghanistan continued a declining trend, with prices around 1 to 3 percent lower than December 2023 and 20 to 25 percent lower than last year. The price decline can primarily be attributed to the appreciation of the Afghan Afghani (AFN). Despite a 3 percent depreciation in January, the currency remains relatively stronger than before September 2023. This appreciation of the AFN has benefited Afghan traders who import various goods, including food items. Furthermore, the ongoing importation of food commodities from neighboring countries, particularly Kazakhstan, Iran, and Pakistan, has played a significant role in maintaining a stable market supply, contributing to lower prices for essential food items. 
Read the full analysis
Food Security Outlook Briefing Food Security Outlook Briefing
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Afghanistan (October 2023 - May 2024)

 
Latest Analysis Latest Analysis
View All Central Asia Analysis
Food Security
Food Security Outlook Update Due to low water availability, second-season crops face stress conditions Afghanistan August 2023
Key Message Update Humanitarian food need, down from last year amid falling prices, remains above average Afghanistan July 2023
Food Security Outlook Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes expected in areas where wheat production is low Afghanistan June 2023 - January 2024
Agroclimatology
No reports available.
Markets & Trade
Price Bulletin Central Asia Price Bulletin Middle East and Asia February 2024
Price Bulletin Central Asia Price Bulletin Middle East and Asia January 2024
Supply and Market Outlook Middle East Regional Markets Analysis Middle East and Asia December 21, 2023
Alerts / Special Reports
No reports available.
Food Security
Food Security Outlook Update Due to low water availability, second-season crops face stress conditions Afghanistan August 2023
Key Message Update Humanitarian food need, down from last year amid falling prices, remains above average Afghanistan July 2023
Food Security Outlook Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes expected in areas where wheat production is low Afghanistan June 2023 - January 2024
Agroclimatology
No reports available.
Markets & Trade
Price Bulletin Central Asia Price Bulletin Middle East and Asia February 2024
Price Bulletin Central Asia Price Bulletin Middle East and Asia January 2024
Supply and Market Outlook Middle East Regional Markets Analysis Middle East and Asia December 21, 2023
Alerts / Special Reports
No reports available.
Food Security Classification Data View all Middle East and Asia classification data
Middle East and Asia Acute Food Insecurity Classification (February 2024 - September 2024)

Current (February 2024) food security outcomes and forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (February 2024 - May 2024) and medium term (June 2024 - September 2024) periods.

Middle East and Asia Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile February 2024 (.zip) (ZIP) Middle East and Asia Acute Food Insecurity Classification February 2024 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Current Situation: February 2024 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: June 2024 - September 2024 (.png) (PNG) Current Situation: February 2024 (.kml) (KML) Near Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: June 2024 - September 2024 (.kml) (KML)
Middle East and Asia Acute Food Insecurity Classification (January 2024 - May 2024)

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (January 2024) and medium term (February 2024 - May 2024) periods.

Middle East and Asia Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile January 2024 (.zip) (ZIP) Middle East and Asia Acute Food Insecurity Classification January 2024 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Near Term Projection: January 2024 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: January 2024 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.kml) (KML)
Middle East and Asia Acute Food Insecurity Classification (December 2023 - May 2024)

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (December 2023 - January 2024) and medium term (February 2024 - May 2024) periods.

Middle East and Asia Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile December 2023 (.zip) (ZIP) Middle East and Asia Acute Food Insecurity Classification December 2023 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Near Term Projection: December 2023 - January 2024 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: December 2023 - January 2024 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.kml) (KML)
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USGS-provided data and imagery supports FEWS NET's monitoring efforts of weather and climate throughout the world.

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