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Burundi Remote Monitoring Update, February 2018

Countries
Burundi
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Sources
FEWS NET
Publication date
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Despite favorable harvests, limited incomes continue to hinder food access

KEY MESSAGES

  • Total 2018 Season A production is likely to be aboveaverage, and with prospects for a favorable Season B harvest in June 2018, Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are expected to persist through September 2018, primarily due to staples prices that remain high. However, poor households, particularly in localized areas that experienced productions deficits in Bubanza Province, are likely to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes during the lean season in April.

  • As expected given the favorable 2018 Season A rainfall, the prices of staples dropped significantly in the main markets across the country, particularly in January. For example, according to key informants, the price of the common variety of beans was between 700 and 800 BIF per kg in early January in Kirundo, compared to 1100 to 1200 BIF/kg in November 2017. Despite these declines, with limited household incomes, poor households’ food access remains constrained.

  • In January 2018, IOM and UNHCR estimated there were 176,000 IDPs, 13,000 returnees from Tanzania, and 44,000 refugees and asylum seekers from the DRC. Given the ongoing shortfalls in humanitarian assistance, the majority of returnees from Tanzania and all of the Congolese asylum seekers and refugees are experiencing difficulty meeting their minimum food needs. In the absence of assistance, they would face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes.