Food insecurity persists alongside conflict and displacement

• The availability of Season A harvests and income from Season B agricultural labor are slightly improving household food security. However, despite above-average September to December rainfall associated with El Niño, Season A production was 10 percent below average nationally due to conflict-related disruptions to agricultural activities. Population movement and market access remain constrained in many areas. Many poor and conflict-affected households throughout Burundi remain Stressed (IPC Phase 2). 

• Below-average production and conflict are of particular concern in Bururi, Citiboke, Kirundo, Muyinga, Makamba, Mwaro, and Rumonge. Many households in these areas have below-average stocks after poor Season A production and conflict continues to disrupt Season B agricultural activities, limiting income-earning opportunities. Furthermore, staple food prices in these areas remain above both last year and the five-year average. Some poor households in these areas are likely to remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) through at least the end of the lean season in May. 

• As of March 21, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that civil insecurity had displaced 252,530 Burundians to neighboring countries. An estimated 25,000 people internally displaced in Kirundo, Muyinga, and Rutana Districts have limited access to humanitarian assistance and are likely in Crisis (IPC Phase 3). The IOM notes that there are likely additional displaced populations in less accessible conflict-affected areas.   

For more detailed analysis, see the Remote Monitoring Update for February - September 2016.