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Ethiopia Food Security Outlook July to December 2013

Countries
Ethiopia
Sources
FEWS NET
Publication date
Origin
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Food security improved in the southern and southeastern parts of the country

KEY MESSAGES

• Belg-producing areas of Amhara, Tigray, and parts of Oromia Regions will continue in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) through September primarily due to poor Belg crop production caused by the delayed onset and below normal total rainfall in many areas, especially in the Northeast, long dry spells during the rains, the early cessation of the Belg rains, and armyworminfestations in some areas.

• From October to November, food security is expected to improve from Crisis(IPC Phase 3)to Stressed (IPC Phase 2) in most parts of the country with exception of the Belgdominant areas of North and South Wollo Zones in Amhara, northern parts of Afar, and some parts of Sitti, Afder, and Liben Zones in Somali Region, which will likely remain in Crisis(IPC Phase 3).

• The June to September Kiremt rains are expected to be normal to above normal in most parts of the country except in the Northwest. The well below normal Kiremt rainfall so farin some northwestern parts of the country have been less than half of usual totals, which had reduced planted area to only 58 percent of the five-year average in Western Tigray Zone by the beginning of July. Such a reduction in the planted area possibly will have a significant impact on the overall sorghum and sesame production, both at the national and regional levels. Even if short-cycle crops are planted, their yields will be less than from those oflong-cycle varieties.

• The poor performance of the Belg season has made current staple food prices increase or remain at their already elevated levels above prices from last year, affecting market-dependent households, especially the poor and very poor householdsin northeastern Belg-producing areas. However, a reduction in staple fo