Rising food prices are limiting household access to food and contributing to Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes in the Sahelian zone

Following the protests against French policy in Chad, led by the Wakit Tamma coalition, market disruptions were observed in urban centers. Increased security during the protests disrupted livelihoods and limited the incomes of very poor and poor households. In addition, increased insecurity in Kouribougoudi (Tibesti Province) has exacerbated food insecurity in the Sahel due to additional disruptions to cross-border flows with Libya.

The supply of imported food has declined compared to normal because of the drop in the volume of imported products following the crisis in  Ukraine. On the other hand, as a result of the impact of the fuel shortage on transportation costs, the volume of local food supplies is down. Despite low household incomes, atypical market pressure is observed in most Sahelian provinces due to stock depletion. As a result, an upward trend in prices, compared with the five-year average, has been observed, particularly in the Sahelian zone. In mid-May 2022, an increase of 65% compared to the five-year average is reported for millet prices in Bol due to insecurity and production shortfalls in 2021/2022. 

During the peak of the pastoral lean season, pastoralists typically use animal feed supplements (hay, oil cakes, bran, etc.). However, access to these sources is limited due to low income levels. In BEG and Kanem, small ruminants are aerial grazing with low nutritional value, while large livestock travel distances of more than 12 km between watering holes and rare grass patches.        

An overall upward trend in prices, compared to the five-year average, is reported in most markets in the Sahelian zone due to the high dependence of households. As a result, households' access to food is limited and sustain consumption gaps in line with Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes. Households in the Sahelo-Sudanese areas have minimal food consumption as a result of their low incomes and have Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes. Despite low levels of cereal stocks, households in the Logone, Mandoul, and Moyen Chari basins are in Minimal (IPC Phase 1).