Food security situation improving in some areas

In many parts of both the Sudanian and Sahelian zones, cumulative rainfall through August 31, 2015 has been below average. Impacts from the rainfall deficits on millet, sorghum, maize, and rice production are already perceptible in the field. Harvest forecasts indicate slightly below-average production at the national level (down by approximately 1 percent).

Food access has improved in the Sudanian zone due to early harvests of maize, groundnut, as well as wild foods. In the agropastoral zone in the center of the country, households are consuming early harvests of green maize, which is contributing to food availability and household incomes.

Early green harvests have also begun in Lac, Kanem and Bahr El Gazal regions, but their contribution to food availability remained limited in September. As such, these zones remain Stressed (IPC Phase 2). The rest of the country will remain in Minimal (IPC Phase 1) acute food insecurity due to good milk availability and green harvests.

The situation for refugees from the Central African Republic, vulnerable host populations, as well as returnees to the south remains stable as most continue to benefit from assistance. Refugees in the Lac region continue to receive food assistance, but households continue to face difficulties meeting their basic non-food needs.

For more detailed analysis, see the August 2015 Food Security Outlook Update for Chad.