Food security remains Stressed (IPC Phase 2) in most areas of Karamoja

Many households in Karamoja are increasingly using coping strategies to access food, including selling more firewood/charcoal and consuming wild foods, after food stocks from the below-average harvest were depleted four months early in November. Food security is expected to improve slightly starting in February when agricultural labor opportunities become available, although most households will remain Stressed (IPC Phase 2). Poor households in Kaabong and Moroto are expected to remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) through June. 

In bimodal areas, average November/December second season harvests have increased market food supplies and household food stocks. The majority of households are maintaining Minimal (IPC Phase 1) acute food insecurity. However, some households in the Teso and Acholi regions are Stressed (IPC Phase 2) following below-average harvests and a reduction in income from reduced crop sales. 

Commodity prices have generally followed seasonal trends, remaining stable since December. It is expected that maize, sorghum, and bean prices will seasonally rise in February and March due in part to the regional demand from Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Sudan. Some households will find it difficult to purchase basic food needs at the seasonally higher prices, specifically in Karamoja where many households have limited income sources.