Rising prices of food staples continue to affect the purchasing capacity of the poor

Stressed (IPC Phase 2) acute food security outcomes persist in Kayonza and Nyagatare Districts in Eastern Province as poor households are facing difficulties meeting their livelihood protection needs, while the rest of the country remains in Minimal (IPC Phase 1). Above-average rainfall since mid-September, even in the East, has aided land preparation and planting activities for the 2017 Season A, increasing labor opportunities. The September Season C harvest, while rather small in terms of overall production, is contributing to food availability. 

According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, prices of non-cereal staples, such as Irish and sweet potatoes, beans, fruits, vegetables, increased in August by nearly 25 percent compared to last year, reducing purchasing power and access for poor, rural households. Food price increases are driven by a likely below-average harvest in June and July and reduced trade with Tanzania and Burundi due to those governments’ export restrictions.

The inflow of Burundian refugees in Rwanda remains steady as peace negotiations stall. Daily arrivals of Burundians into Rwanda remained at approximately 32 in August, as was the case in the previous quarter. As of September 22, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated the number of post April 2015 refugees at 81,775. Despite receiving food and non-food needs, the refugees are facing Stressed (IPC Phase 2!) acute food insecurity outcomes due to funding gaps in the 2016 Burundi Regional Refugee Response Plan for Rwanda.