Stressed (IPC Phase 2) food insecurity in some areas due to poor production and ongoing conflict

Overall, access and availability of food during the 2019-2020 season is anticipated to be satisfactory due to the production of grains at 25.5% above the five-year average and the current second-season harvest. The majority of households will remain in Minimal (IPC Phase 1) food insecurity through May 2020.

Above average levels of households’ own production, however low in the Western Sahel and in conflict-affected areas in the center, in-kind payments, and average to below average prices of basic goods is leading to average household access to grains. The improvement in terms of trade goat/cereal to average levels favors an average access to markets by pastoralists.

The usual return of transhumant herds for crop residues and dry season pastures is under way. However, disturbances to the movement of livestock observed in the Liptako Gourma region and in Menaka due to the persistence of security incidences could lead to difficulties maintaining livestock body conditions. Increased sales of livestock at lower prices is expected to reduce the purchasing power of pastoralists in the region.

Poor households in the Western Sahel zone of Kayes and in conflict affected areas in the center and the north are atypically engaging in migration and labor to improve their access to food following the significant decline in production or the degradation of livelihoods due to persistent insecurity. Stressed (IPC Phase 2) conditions faced by households could worsen to Crisis (IPC Phase 3) during the lean season in the absence of humanitarian assistance.