Minimal food insecurity outcomes to prevail over most parts of the region

KEY MESSAGES

• Food insecurity conditions are expected to remain Minimal (IPC Phase 1) over most parts of the region despite this being the peak of the lean season. Poor households in both rural and urban areas are meeting their food needs through market purchases, humanitarian assistance, own production and social protection services.

• Improved humanitarian assistance funding flows are expected to result in improved food security outcomes for households between January and March in southern Malawi and south-western Zimbabwe.

• Recent African Armyworm outbreaks in several countries could threaten food security during the 2012/13 agricultural season.

• The delayed start of season and poor rainfall performance in many parts of the region is likely to delay and reduce green harvest food supplies that are normally expected around February/March, which could extend the lean season for poor rural households.