Food insecurity persists in conflict-affected areas

Food security assessments conducted by the World Food Programme (WFP) and partners indicate that food insecurity has increased in areas affected by civil insecurity and an estimated 645,000 people in Bujumbura rural, Bururi, Citiboke, Kirundo, Muyinga, Makamba, Mwaro, and Rumonge are ‘Severely Food Insecure.’ Deteriorating food security is attributed to households’ restricted movement that is limiting their ability to seek typical labor opportunities and their limited access to fields and inputs that is resulting in below-average harvests.

While the September to December Season A rainfall was mostly above-normal to normal, December to February Season A harvests are estimated to be at least 10 percent below average nationally due to low production in conflict-affected areas. However, in areas not directly affected by the conflict, harvests have increased household food stocks, causing food prices to seasonally decline. Minimal (IPC Phase 1) acute food insecurity is anticipated through March in non-conflict areas.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, as of January 25, civil insecurity in Burundi has displaced 234,080 people to Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo and displaced 14,804 people internally in Kirundo and Muyinga Districts. Given that a resolution to the conflict has not been reached, continued civil insecurity and additional displacements are expected.