Even as the flood season draws to a close, poor distribution of rainfall in most countries may result in below average rainfall-related crop performance this season.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Madagascar:

The first round of presidential election is currently scheduled to be held on 24 July 2013. No decision yet on whether it will be postponed or not.

• Namibia:

On 17 May 2013 the President declared a national drought emergency and called for assistance from international community. An estimated 330,925 people have now been classified as food insecure - 14 percent of Namibia's 2,324 million people (total population)

Minimal acute food insecurity outcomes to prevail across the region

KEY MESSAGES

• Most rural households across the region will maintain Minimal (IPC Phase 1) food insecurity outcomes between April and June, relying mainly on own produced food stocks from the main season harvest. However, a few localized areas in southern Mozambique will experience Minimal (IPC Phase 1) and Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes in the presence of assistance, while parts of Lesotho will experience Minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes in the presence of humanitarian assistance between April and June.

HIGHLIGHTS

Namibia:

On 17 May 2013 the President on Namibia declared a national drought emergency and called for assistance from the international community. An estimated 330,925 people have now been classified as food insecure (14 % of Namibia’s total population of 2.324 million).

Madagascar:

IOM this week organized a meeting in Geneva on "Population Mobility & Health for All: Malaria Control and Elimination in Southern Africa – Challenges and Opportunities."

The event, which coincided with the 66th World Health Assembly, was attended by senior Ministry of Health officials from malaria elimination "E-8" countries, including Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Heavy rains were observed in western Ethiopia, western South Sudan and Nigeria during the past week.

1) Poorly distributed and significantly below average seasonal rainfall has resulted in deteriorating ground conditions since January. This has negatively impacted crops and livestock throughout many parts of southern Angola and northern Namibia.

Homes, food reserves, livestock and crops were damaged or destroyed by the storms, which are unusual at this time of the year. More than 9,000 people need urgent assistance.

Heavy rains continued for a second week across previously dry areas in western Ethiopia and South Sudan.

1) Poorly distributed and significantly below average seasonal rainfall has resulted in deteriorating ground conditions since January. This has negatively impacted crops and livestock throughout many parts of southern Angola and northern Namibia.

This report covers the period 01/01/12 to 31/12/12

Overview