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Angola

Angola Remote Monitoring Update, January 2014

Attachments

Poor rainfall delays relief from drought-induced Stressed food security conditions in the south

KEY MESSAGES

• Seasonal rainfall has not improved as forecasted. The areas worst affected by drought (mostly Namibe and Cunene Provinces) are yet to receive rains with some regularity. Thus, FEWS NET’s projected improvement of both pastures and the availability of drinking water for cattle has yet to materialize. Consequently, cattle body conditions are not improving and the expected gradual return of pastoralists to their areas of origin will be pushed back further.

• The continuation of water deficits, mostly felt in the Southern livestock livelihood zone, could reverse transhumance patterns by increasing the exodus of the remaining poor households. The migration of households to Huila Province might increase agricultural labor supply competition, and this could result in lower labor wages earned and less income remitted.

• Poor households in the Southern livestock livelihood zone continue to depend primarily on government food assistance, imports from Namibia, and supplies from neighboring Huila Province. Thus, Namibe and Cunene provinces are expected to face Stressed (IPC Phase 2) acute food security outcomes through June. The Government of Angola has revised its food assistance program and currently plans to gradually assist six worst affected Provinces up to July 2014.