Minimal food insecurity continues through

KEY MESSAGES

• Average to above average food stocks at households levels continue to allow good access to basic food needs and will likely delay the start of the lean season by one month to July.

• Poor, market-dependent households engaged in normal livelihood strategies will continue to access basic food through September. IPC 2.0 Phase 1 (Minimal) acute food insecurity is expected through September.

West Africa can be divided into three agro-ecological zones or three different trade basins (West Basin, Central Basin and East Basin). Both important for understanding market behavior and dynamics.

KEY MESSAGES

• February to March rainfall estimates (RFE), as well as the medium term forecast, indicate that the onset of the long season rains (March to July) occurred in bi-modal areas of West Africa approximately one month earlier than normal.

• In bi-modal zones, current climatic conditions are favorable for the normal start of agricultural activities in April.

Period covered by this Ops Update: 15 January 2013 - 3 March 2013.

Appeal target (current): CHF 1,061,852 in cash, kind and services.

Appeal coverage: 100%

Appeal history:

• The Preliminary Emergency Appeal was launched on 16 August 2012 for CHF 1,151,632 for six months to assist 1,440,000 beneficiaries.

• To start the operation, CHF 150,000 was allocated from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF).

HIGHLIGHTS

• FAO’s first forecast for world wheat production in 2013 stands at 690 million tonnes, about 28 million tonnes up from 2012 and the second largest crop on record. The increase is expected mostly in Europe, driven by an expansion in area in response to high prices, and in some countries due to an expected recovery in yields from last year’s below-average levels.

• The international cereal prices in recent months have followed mixed trends with rice prices rising and wheat declining, while maize prices remaining generally steady.

West Africa can be divided into three agro-ecological zones or three different trade basins (West Basin, Central Basin and East Basin). Both important for understanding market behavior and dynamics.

Period covered by this Ops Update: 30 December 2012 to 15 January 2013.
Appeal target (current): CHF 1,061,852 in cash, kind and services and services.
Appeal coverage: 100%

• This Emergency Appeal was initially launched on a Preliminary basis on 16 August 2012 for CHF 1,151,632 for 6 months to assist 1,440,000 beneficiaries. CHF 150,000 was allocated from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) as start up funds.

West Africa can be divided into three agro-ecological zones or three different trade basins (West Basin, Central Basin and East Basin). Both important for understanding market behavior and dynamics.

Period covered by this Ops Update: 18 October to 29 December, 2012 Appeal target (current): CHF 997,045 in cash, kind and services.

• Appeal coverage: 38% (against current amount of CHF 1,358,780, corresponding to 50% of revised amount of CHF 997,045) Appeal history: