Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are anticipated to persist until the next main harvest in April 2020

Poor households in many areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Idai and associated flooding are currently facing Stressed! (IPC Phase 2!) as humanitarian assistance has reached over 1.8 million people as of late May. Current information indicates, there was extensive loss of food and cash crops and livestock. This has significantly reduced the 2018/19 harvest and poor household’s ability to access own foods in the near and long-term. As a result, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are anticipated to be widespread. In semiarid areas of southern Mozambique, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes persist as a result of the second consecutive poor harvest.

In late April, tropical cyclone Kenneth, made landfall in coastal Cabo Delgado. The tropical cyclone affected more than 350,000 people and caused 45 deaths in Cabo Delgado and northeastern Nampula provinces. The INGC currently estimates, in Cabo Delgado, 55,700 hectares of crop land were affected with 28,500 hectares destroyed. Two accommodation centers house nearly 1,000 people; though as households return to their place of origin, this figure is decreasing. Humanitarian assistance is ongoing and mitigating outcomes with Stressed! (IPC Phase 2!) outcomes prevailing in the most affected areas. The worst affected areas are anticipated to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) from June to September.

The second season is progressing in central and northern areas, particularly in areas previously covered by flood waters. As of late May, nearly 150,000 kilograms of maize and 78,000 kilograms of bean seeds were distributed to nearly 20,000 households. Seed distributions are ongoing. Prospects for second season are positive as result of the continued above average soil moisture and water availability for irrigation. Although, production from second season is for immediate consumption and not long-term storage. This will slightly decrease food consumption gaps in the short-term.  

Generally, maize grain prices decreased or remained stable from March to April; however, remain above the five-year average and significantly above last year’s prices. In Chókwe, maize grain prices abnormally increased due to the below average maize grain supply from the 2018/19 agriculture season. This is the result of the second consecutive year of below average crop production. In Nampula and Pemba, maize grain prices remained abnormally high due to increased demand by local milling industries and this trend will most likely continue through the end of year.