Steady improvement in food security conditions in the Sahel

• Crisis- level food insecurity (IPC Phase 3) across the region last month has since stabilized or improved, particularly in agropastoral areas extending from Mauritania as far as Chad and agricultural areas of the eastern Sahel between east-central Niger and Chad.

• The agricultural season in the Sahel and West Africa is progressing normally. Generally, the first harvests are already underway in bimodal areas and localized areas of the Sahel. Food security is generally improving. However, food aid needs will continue through September in order to compensate for high prices and low household stocks among the very poor and poor.

• In spite of the lull in new locust activity in July, the threat of a desert locusts in farming and pastoral areas continues. With high levels of uncertainty regarding future locust movements, at-risk countries are continuing to canvass and treat zones with potential for locust activity.

• Under the most likely scenario for the period between now and December, food security indicators are expected to normalize following a good harvest, though cereal prices will be slightly or moderately high compared with normal seasonal trends. Continuing assistance programs, the rebound in on-farm employment, and the replenishment of cereal stocks should help bring conditions back in line with normal seasonal trends, putting most of the region in IPC Phase 1 (minimal acute food insecurity) between October and November.