Acute food security Emergency continues in northeast Nigeria through September

Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and Crisis (IPC Phase 3) acute food insecurity continues in September in worst-affected areas of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa, as well as in IDP settlement areas in Maiduguri. Ongoing displacement, particularly to Maiduguri, from rural northeast Nigeria, as well as from returned refugees from Cameroun continues to stress urban areas.

The main harvest in northeast Nigeria, which begins in October, will be significantly below average for the third consecutive year as conflict continues to restrict participation in agricultural activities. However, although October-December production will be significantly below average, the limited harvest stocks will provide relative improvement to household food availability in many areas. Between October and December, northeast Nigeria will experience Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and Stressed (IPC Phase 2) acute food insecurity.

Atypical seasonal flooding has affected many communities along major rivers in Nigeria, damaging infrastructure and eroding farmland. For affected households, limited harvest production in October will make them more reliant on market purchase much earlier than is typical. Because of the impact to livelihoods, market access is also expected to be restricted.

Most agricultural and agropastoral zones in the rest of the country are experiencing typical ends to their lean season periods. As new harvests in October contribute to increased food availability and access, most of the country is expected to remain in Minimal (IPC Phase 1) acute food insecurity through at least December 2015.

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