Rainfall improving food security outcomes even during the peak of the lean season

Rwanda has received average to above-average rainfall across most areas since mid-September. Crops are growing normally, pointing to an average Season A harvest in December, and pasture conditions are improving, even in drought-prone areas. However, a few farmers in some eastern areas reportedly never planted due to poor, localized, and erratic rains, but this appears to be a minor exception. Minimal (IPC Phase 1) acute food security outcomes persist, except among the Burundian refugee population, which remains in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) due to a lack of access to livelihood activities, and amidst projected humanitarian assistance funding shortfalls. 

A small number of poor households in Eastern Province are still likely facing Stressed (IPC Phase 2) acute food insecurity as the lean season continues, but they are expected to meet their minimum food needs through the Government of Rwanda’s ongoing food-for-work programs in Nyagatare, Gatsibfewo, and Kayonza districts, and the greens harvest already available. As seasonally expected, food staple prices rose again in October and were highest in rural areas, constraining market access. 

According to UNHCR, as of November 20, there were nearly 82,800 post-April 2015 Burundian refugees in Rwanda. More than 63 percent are in Mahama Camp in Kirehe District in Eastern Province, and they are entirely dependent on WFP food assistance. If there are not new contributions, WFP reported its in-kind transfer and cash-based assistance to Burundian and Congolese refugees, respectively, as well as school feeding for 50,000 refugee children, may be disrupted from December 2016 onwards.