Poor households in the North West and South West face an early start to the lean season

Markets across most of the country are generally well supplied with basic agricultural food staples. As the lean season approaches, typical seasonal increase of prices are recorded as household demand increases. The off-season maize and the dry season sorghum harvests in the Far North, which contribute nearly 40% of the year's total cereal harvest, increase the availability and access to food for the majority of poor households. The majority of the country will remain in Minimal (IPC Phase 1) food insecurity.

Poor households in the North West and South West are facing an atypically early start to the lean season, which is expected to be harsher due to atypically high prices (28 to 78 percent for maize, 22 to 33 percent for imported rice, 50 to 140 percent for beans) and the rapid depletion of food stocks. They will face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes through September.

Repeated attacks by Boko Haram associated with looting of food and livestock in the Far North, in the districts of Mayo Sava, Mayo Tsanaga, and Logone et Chari, and flooding in Mayo Danay and Logone et Chari in October 2019 put pressure on available food resources and negatively impact agricultural and pastoral activities, resulting in constrained livelihood activities. As such, the Far North will continue to be in Stressed (IPC Phase 2) food insecurity.

As of March 25th, Cameroon registered 72 cases of COVID-19.  The pandemic remains of global concern and measures have been put in place by the government of Cameroon to limit the spread of the virus, such as the closing of borders, with the exception of freight and the transport of essential products. To date, there have not been notable changes to poor households’ access to food and income. FEWS NET continues to monitor the situation closely, including whether further restrictions on population movements could disrupt the agricultural season.