Crisis (IPC Phase 3) likely through December, following impacts of successive poor seasons

Crisis (IPC Phase 3) acute food insecurity is expected to persist through December for poor households in the Southeastern Pastoral Border and Obock pastoral areas. The July to September Karan/Karma rains were the third-consecutive below-average season, although late August rains eased some severe water shortages. Low milk availability, low livestock prices due to the poor body conditions, increased kerosene prices in Obock due to disrupted trade with Yemen, coupled with limited labor opportunities are likely to limit household food access during most of 2015. 

Approximately 120,000 people are in Stressed (IPC Phase 2) and Crisis (IPC Phase 3), though only 80,000 have access to humanitarian assistance. An influx of about 22,500 people from Yemen, including 10,400 refugees, have increased pressure on limited resources and constrained labor opportunities.

Near-average October to December Heys/Dadaa rains are anticipated, but significant improvements in rangeland conditions (water, pasture, and browse) and labor opportunities are unlikely before 2016. Reduced herd sizes as a result of increased sales, especially in Obock and the Southeastern Livelihood Zone, are likely to limit how quickly poor households’ food and income access will improve following three consecutively poor seasons.

For more detailed analysis, see the August 2015 Djibouti Remote Monitoring Update.