Burundi

Across most western parts of the country, the Season A harvest is increasing food availability and access, supporting Minimal (IPC Phase 1) food security outcomes. However, the below-average Season A crop production, coupled with high food prices and below-average income from limited labor opportunities for poor and very poor households, is driving Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes in the Northern Lowlands livelihood zone during the April to May 2023 minor lean season. The Season A harvest is contributing to improvements in food security in the Eastern Lowlands, supporting improvement to Stressed (IPC Phase 2) acute food insecurity. In the Eastern Dry Plateaus livelihood zones, households will also be Stressed (IPC Phase 2) amid limited labor opportunities and above-average food prices.

The Season A harvest is expected to be between 10 and 15 percent below average as a result of the two-month delay in rainfall at the start of season. Food stocks’ for poor and very poor households will likely last until the April to May. These households will rely on market purchases for food until the Season B harvest starts around June, particularly in the Northern Lowlands livelihood zone. High soil moisture from above-average rainfall has been promoting favorable growth and development for Season B crops since January 2023. The favorable rainfall during Season B expected to enhance the crop production in June, likely to minimize the impact of reduced cultivated areas for the season.

The Burundian Franc (BIF) continues to depreciate as headline inflation persists at over 30 percent in April. Meanwhile, the parallel exchange rate is between 75 and 100 percent above the official rate. The government of Burundi is introducing a new policy to liberalize foreign currency exchange by allowing commercial banks to open their own exchange offices. This policy is expected to narrow the gap between the official exchange rate and the parallel market, which could support the stabilization of the price of imported foods. However, increased food prices persist mainly due to the delay in cultivation, the below-average harvest, and high global food costs related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

According to WFP, approximately 56,000 refugees and asylum seekers have received half of their ration in the first week of April due to funding shortages, which covers around 50 percent of beneficiaries’ monthly caloric needs. It is expected that the refugees and asylum seekers are likely Stressed (IPC Phase 2). As WFP faces limited financial resources, some nutrition responses were downscaled and reduced the ration size.