- MAJOR CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS VERSION OF THE HIP
Changes introduced with the HIP amendment n°1 dated 22/05/2012 A Rapid Food security Assessment conducted by WFP finalized on 17 April 2012 shows worrying Food Score Consumption that clearly indicates the risks of a serious food crisis during the upcoming lean season in two districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT): Rangamati and Bandarban, particularly in Sajek and Remakri Unions.
There are a number of factors which are causing a cumulative effect that is exacerbating the already very fragile food security situation of the region. The aftermath of the rodent crisis and decreased availability of bamboos, infestation of pigs who miss their usual fodder (bamboo roots), the impact of the flash flooding in Remakri in 2011, a poor yield in the last harvest (50% of the usual average), high levels of indebtedness, a drastic drop in cash crops' selling price (turmeric, bamboo etc.) resulting in sharp decrease of revenue (minus 40% to 60%) combined with the closure of the largest market of Sanjek in Baghaihat and ongoing ethnic tension have created a situation where the assessment found that 100% of the two unions are food insecure as opposed to the national average of 25 %. The food consumption scores are deemed "poor" in 100% of Remakri and 60% in Sajek.
This assessment showed also worrying coping mechanisms from the affected population ranging from decreasing size and number of meals (minus 50%), often limited to rice and wild vegetables whose consumption will provoke deterioration of their nutritional status. Affected people have exhausted their traditional solidarity mechanisms and rely on money lenders.
To address the situation and the needs of an estimate 6.000 households, the total amount allocated to this HIP is increased by EUR 2,000,000 under the food assistance budget line.