Food consumption sustained by household stocks is at a good level

• The majority of poor households continue to rely on their own production stocks for food consumption. The last agricultural harvest was similar to the five year average and has allowed most poor households to have sufficient stocks to cover their food needs through the normal lean season from June to September.

• The supply of foodstuffs (cereals and garden crops) are at satisfactory levels on the markets with normal demand and stable prices as compared to the five year average. Normal income from off season activities like gold mining and animal and vegetable sales are allowing households to have enough money to access food markets. 

• In the agro-pastoral zone in the north of country the situation for animals has become increasingly difficult with the start of the pastoral lean season. The drying of water points and dwindling of pasture food supplies are driving a relatively early start to pastoral migration. The situation, however, will not significantly affect the food security classifications. Households in pastoral areas and across the country will remain in Minimal (IPC Phase 1) food insecurity. 

For more detailed analysis, see the Food Security Outlook for February – September 2016