July harvests bring only limited improvements in food access in the NW and SW

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July marks the beginning of the main harvest in the southern zone of Cameroon. However, harvests of local staple crops are only bringing limited improvements in food availability and access for poor households in the most conflict-affected areas of the Northwest and Southwest regions. In remote and insecure divisions like Lebialem, Momo, and Menchum, crop production was significantly lower than during pre-conflict years due to significant declines in area cultivated. As a result, these areas are likely facing area-level Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes, while more secure and productive divisions are in Stressed (IPC Phase 2). Starting in October, the early depletion of food stocks due to consecutive years of conflict-related below-average production will lead to area-level Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes across the entirety of the Northwest and Southwest regions through January 2025. Facing above-average food prices, conflict-affected households in these regions will try to mitigate their food consumption gaps by buying food on credit or selling remaining assets. A small proportion of the population is likely to face Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes.
In the Far North, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected during the peak of the lean season through September in the conflict-affected divisions of Logone-et-Chari, Mayo-Tsanaga, and Mayo-Sava. Most households have long since exhausted their limited food stocks from another consecutive year of below-average harvests driven by conflict and insecurity. Insurgent activities have continued to limit agricultural and pastoral activities and are likely to result in another below-average October harvest. Additionally, above-average flooding is forecasted in these areas along the Logone River until September, putting many households at risk of compounding shocks of significant crop losses and temporary displacements. However, in October, flood risk will have declined, and the main harvest will facilitate improvements in area-level outcomes to Stressed (IPC Phase 2). However, some poor households in the most insecure areas where agricultural and pastoral activities are the most disrupted will still face significant food consumption gaps and remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3). A small proportion of the population who have been repeatedly displaced is likely to face Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes.
Divisions hosting large refugee populations, notably Mbéré in Adamawa and Kadey and Lom-et-Djerem in the East region, are expected to be in Stressed (IPC Phase 2) through January 2025. As harvesting begins in July, food availability and access for refugees and host community households will likely improve. However, poor households are expected to continuously engage in negative coping strategies such as reducing meal frequency, limiting portions sizes, and eating less preferred foods due to high prices and heightened competition for employment opportunities.
Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are expected to persist through January 2025 among poor urban households, especially those living in Yaoundé and Douala. Households living in these urban centers rely on food purchases year-round to meet their needs. High food and fuel inflation continues to challenge their limited purchasing capacities, and many will struggle to meet their essential food needs without reducing non-food expenditures on medical care and education.

Recommended citation: FEWS NET. Cameroon Key Message Update July 2024: July harvests bring only limited improvements in food access in the NW and SW, 2024.

This Key Message Update provides a high-level analysis of current acute food insecurity conditions and any changes to FEWS NET's latest projection of acute food insecurity outcomes in the specified geography. Learn more here.