Key Messages from the FSNWG meeting held June 21, 2012

• The regional food security situation has generally improved due to the recent rains. However, several areas are still in crisis and emergency food insecurity situation (IPC Phases 3 and 4 respectively).

• Rainfall forecasts for the uni-modal rainfall areas in the region (South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia) for the period June to August are generally positive.

• Regional staple food prices began to rise in most markets as household food stocks decline from April-May 2012.

• In Kenya, the reported outbreak of the highly contagious Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease in southern Rift Valley Province raises food security concern as over 300,000 farmers have been affected.

• Over 2.4 million people are likely to be food insecure in South Sudan as the lean season progresses.

• In Ethiopia, the delayed harvest of Belg crops is likely to interfere with the planting operations of the 2012 Meher short-cycle crops in June/July. This is likely to affect the food situation in the Belg-producing highlands.

• There are now over 2 million IDPs in DRC, the number having grown steadily mainly due to persistent insecurity in North and South Kivu Provinces. The limited access in these areas prevents effective humanitarian response.

• In Tanzania, most of the country is generally food secure. However, pockets of stress levels of food insecurity (IPC phase 2) has been reported in the north, central and east mainly due to poor rainfall performance, high food prices and low purchasing power.