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Angola + 7 more

Southern Africa Food Security Outlook Update April 2011

Attachments

Staple food prices decrease as availability of foods from green harvests increase

Food Security Summary:

-The availability of a variety of seasonal food crops and fruits has greatly contributed to improved food security conditions across the region as the lean season comes to an end. On-farm availability of these foods has helped ease pressure on local markets, resulting in gradual food price decreases in some areas where crop growing conditions have been favorable.

-The decrease in staple food prices is expected to continue until the end of the harvest (July/August), when prices should stabilize before rising again as the lean season (October through February) approaches. Despite current decreases, prices remain above normal for this time of the year, threatening the food security of market‐dependent households in urban and rural areas where rains were poor this season.

-Heavy rains received in March in the Cuvelai basin bordering southern Angola and northern Namibia resulted in severe flooding in northern Namibia. The flooding caused fatalities and the displacement of thousands of families causing the government to declare a national state of emergency on March 29th. This declaration will facilitate a large-scale response that includes the participation of international cooperating partners and other humanitarian agencies.