Recent harvests improve food availability of all major staples except beans

Season B harvests are at near-average levels after a heavy March to May rainy season that enhanced moisture-tolerant crops like maize but reduced the yields of beans and some vegetables. Although improved food availability has largely enabled Minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes throughout Rwanda, many displaced households in flood-affected areas are reliant on humanitarian assistance and are likely to remain in Stressed (IPC Phase 2!) through September.

Bean prices increased up to 27 percent from May to June, but then decreased by 10 to 15 percent following completion of the July harvest. Poor households in bean production shortfalls areas in Northern Province are supplementing reduced income from crop sales primarily through cross-border daily labor in Uganda, while those in areas most affected by landslides, such as Rutsiro and Karongi communes, are engaging in cross-border petty trade in the DRC. Season C planting is above average, even though some farmers in Southern Province planted late after clearing silt and gravel deposited by surface runoff.

According to UNHCR’s June figures, 144,850 refugees are present in Rwanda, including 68,306 from Burundi and 75,958 from the DRC. While the number of Congolese refugees remains stable, the flow of returnees to Burundi has resulted in a net decrease of approximately 21,000 Burundian refugees since January 2018. Refugees living in camps have access to outside labor opportunities but heavily rely on food assistance. Full rations have been restored after a six-month reduction, due to a recent donor contribution to WFP. Without assistance, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes would be likely.