Atypical coping strategies employed along the riverine regions of Gao, Timbuktu, and the Niger Delta

The current agricultural season is considered to be average throughout the country, despite inadequacy and poor distribution of rainfall in some agricultural areas in the south of the country. However, floods due to heavy rain have caused damage to households and livestock in Menaka, Gourma Rharous, Goundam, Kayes and Koulikoro, which weakens the livelihoods of the affected households.

Market supplies of cereals during this lean season remain average overall and are improving with harvests of off-season rice, green corn, and pulses. Stable or declining food prices are favorable for average household access to markets, except in the regions of Gao and Timbuktu where price increases of 5 to 25 percent reduce access. 

Improved livestock conditions due to the June-July rains ended the long and difficult pastoral lean season (February – June) in the north of the country and beginning of animal production (milk, butter, cheese). The improvement of body conditions and the resumptions of milk production are conducive to improved income and nutrition for pastoralists facing Stressed (IPC Phase 2) levels of food insecurity. 

Poor households in the rice-producing areas of Gao, Timbuktu, the Niger Delta and the western Sahel, who are currently borrowing, reducing non-food expenditures, and purchasing the cheapest available foods, are facing Stressed (IPC Phase 2) levels of food insecurity. The ongoing humanitarian food and non-food aid will improve access to food from now until September, which will be the end of the lean season.