Increase in insecurity along the north and eastern border

Attacks perpetrated by non state armed groups, particularly in the border areas of the north (Koumbri, Seytenga, Tin-Akoff, Déou and Markoye), the north-east (Mansila, Foutouri) and the east (Matiacoali), thus increasing the number of new displaced persons. The strengthening of the military presence has led to the withdrawal of jihadist groups towards these regions where they carry out killings, kidnappings, looting and destruction of property in order to dissuade communities from adhering to the establishment of Volunteers for Defense of the Fatherland (VDP). Between April 1 and May 7, 68 incidents, 138 killings and more than 18,000 new displaced persons were recorded in the country and mainly in these areas.

The prices of basic grains remain 20 to 35 percent higher than last year and 10 to 20 percent above the five-year average due to the early depletion of household stocks in the areas affected by insecurity, but also more important cereal outflows towards Niger. In the border communes in the far north and east subject to recurrent incursions by jihadist groups, greater upward variations are recorded due to strong pressure from IDPs and host households in markets that are poorly supplied. In the Arbinda market, for example, the price of millet is 34 percent above the five-year average.

In the main livestock markets in the north of the country (Kaya, Djibo, Dori and Gorom-Gorom), the additional demand for animals for the Ramadan festival has helped keep the prices of small ruminants 15 to 49 percent above the average, except for ram on the Gorom-Gorom market which is near average. The supply of small ruminants have particularly increased in the Gorom-Gorom and Kaya markets, respectively by 14 percent and 39 percent compared to the average due to destocking by IDPs and host households to respond to the early depletion of food stocks. The terms of trade goat / grain remain favorable to pastoralists.

In the northern half of the country, poor households, whose livestock capital is significantly reduced due to looting or excessive sales, have increased the sale of hay and firewood. However, daily income has halved compared to normal. Moreover, insecurity limits gold mining activities. In areas most affected by insecurity, IDPs and poor host households are forced to reduce both the quality and quantity of food as well as the number of meals per day and are anticipated to be facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3).