Karamoja households accessing food through heavy use of coping strategy

In bimodal areas, average to above-average beans, sorghum, banana, tuber, and maize harvests from the second season are providing a steady supply of food to households and markets. Prices have declined seasonally since October and are expected to continue low through January. Minimal (IPC Phase 1) will continue through March in bimodal areas. 

Most poor households in Karamoja remain Stressed (IPC Phase 2). However, a significant proportion of households in Moroto and Kaabong Districts had very poor harvests, and they have depleted most of their food stocks, however they make up less than 20 percent of population. In these districts, unusually high firewood and charcoal sales are allowing households minimal food access. Acute malnutrition prevalence will likely start to rise in January in these areas as stocks deplete.  

No new cases of Foot and Mouth Disease have been reported in the Karamoja region in the past three months, suggesting the quarantine may end. Livestock sales are atypical in the post-harvest season, but households with poor harvests are currently accessing food through the favorable livestock-to-sorghum terms of trade with relaxed restrictions on livestock trade.