In addition to conflict, flooding is negatively affecting household food security

Thanks to very favorable rainfall, harvesting of millet and cowpea crops started earlier, improving food availability and agricultural employment opportunities for poor households. However, heavy rains caused widespread flooding, causing loss of assets and crops along riversides whose floods have reached unprecedented levels in the past 30 years. Food assistance to flood victims has been prompt and sufficient, keeping most households in Minimal (IPC Phase 1).

Food conditions in the pastoral zone improved markedly in September, leading to better body conditions of animals and an improvement in milk production. The market value of animals and their products has improved and is reflected in prices and incomes that allow improved access to food products without relying on aid and negative strategies. The majority of households remain in Minimal (IPC Phase 1) food insecurity.

Prices still remain atypically high, especially for dry cereals estimated at more than 40 percent above those of August 2019 and more than 20 percent compared to the five-year average due to below average supply. However, the new harvest is anticipated to reduce household dependence on the market for food consumption.

Crisis (Phase 3 of the IPC) persists in the northern parts of the Tillabery and Tahoua regions because of insecurity which disrupts livelihoods, displaces households, and inhibits the delivery of humanitarian assistance. In the Diffa region, households are in Stressed (IPC Phase 2!) thanks to ongoing humanitarian food assistance.