Food Security Update
The latest FEWS-NET/WFP food security outlook indicates that food security has improved in meher (long cycle crops)- producing parts of the country with the start of the harvest in October and anticipates favorable conditions from October to March in most parts of the country. According to the report, prices of staple foods have reduced and household purchasing power has increased due to improvements in physical conditions of livestock. However, the report also indicates that food security conditions are likely to deteriorate in eastern parts of SNNPR starting in February/March, as below-average sapie (January to mid February) rains are expected and may led to below-normal production of transitional crops, including sweet potato. Food security conditions in flood-affected areas of Southern Tigray zone, North Wello, South Wello and Oromia zones (Amhara), and in the highlands of East and West Hararghe zones (Oromia) also require close monitoring, as livestock have been lost, crops damaged and household assets destroyed. Moreover, water availability is expected to deteriorate in the southern zones of Somali Region, neighboring lowlands of Bale, Borena and Guji zones (Oromia) and South Omo zone (SNNPR) due to the anticipated below normal pastoral rains from October to December. For more information, contact: ethiopia@fewsnet.net& wfp.addisababa@wfp.org