Famine Early Warning Systems Network

As result of cyclones Idai/Kenneth and associated flooding in central and northern regions, drought in southern region, and conflict in Cabo Delgado, most affected households have limited food stocks with below average incomes. Most income sources were disrupted as the majority of households earn income by selling crops and livestock, which were affected by the shocks. Although, in flood affected areas, particularly in parts of Sofala and Manica Provinces, the above average harvest of horticulture crops, such as, cabbage, lettuce, carrots, and some tubers such as sweet potatoes is improving food access in the short-term.

In the southern semiarid areas this is the second consecutive poor season and households have little to no food stocks and ability to participate in the second season. Most poor households are increasing their engagement in self-employment activities to access income and nonfood expenditure. In addition, as more households engage in self-employment activities, opportunities to sell decreases, as do prices as the result of increased competition, limiting incomes. Collection and consumption of wild foods is increasing to atypical levels, though availability is well below average due to the drought.

In July, maize grain and meal and rice prices generally remained relatively stable, but well above last year’s prices and the 5-year average. In Gorongosa, the national reference market, maize grain price from June to July remained stable (Figure 1). Generally, in monitored markets, July maize grain prices remained well above last years’ prices by 42 percent and 19 percent above the five-year average.

According to the Food Security Cluster (FSC), in July and August, emergency food assistance reached an estimated 500,000 people in Sofala and Manica provinces. In addition, humanitarian food assistance is ongoing in the north to areas households affected by tropical cyclone Kenneth and conflict, reaching an estimated about 80,000 people. In the areas affected by cyclone Idai, emergency food assistance delivery is mostly over and being gradually replaced by early recovery assistance. In this phase, starting in August, assistance delivery is through food for assets (FFA) activities.

In Sofala and Manica provinces, where households are receiving humanitarian assistance and have access to second season production are currently in Stressed! (IPC Phase 2!). Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are present in the rest of the shock affected areas as the result of the poor to no production of the 2018/19 agriculture season. The affected households not receiving humanitarian assistance continue to use coping strategies including reducing the frequency and quantity of meals, relying on less expensive foods, borrowing food from relatives or better off households, and consuming less preferred and non-recommended wild foods in excess.