Insecurity in Lac province caused by the presence of non-state armed groups (NSAGs) and inter-community conflicts on the border with Sudan are limiting typical population movements. In addition, the attack on the village of Sandana in early February impacted transhumance activities in the area of Moyen-Chari, Mandoul, Logone Oriental, and Logone Occidental, moving the camping grounds of the livestock farmers' transhumance areas to the border with the Central African Republic (CAR).
The poor agricultural growing season in 2021/2022 has had a negative impact on stock levels and the availability of food in markets. In addition, the security and health restrictions imposed by the authorities since the beginning of the year in the Lac area have limited food supplies to the markets. The rise in average food prices observed since the beginning of growing season has been exacerbated by the effects of the Ukrainian crisis, the residual impacts of COVID-19 and Ramadan demand.
An atypical shortage of pasture has been reported in Sudan. Pastoralist households are being forced to increase their livestock sales at below-average prices, given their poor physical condition, especially in the arkets of Goré and Mbaibokoum, where the ferricks (cattle herders' camps) are located. However, the livestock markets in Barh el Gazel (BEG) and Wadi Fira are no longer being supplied because of the early departure of transhumant herders to pastures in the south.
The upward trend in market prices is preventing poor and very poor households from sourcing adequate food supplies, which is contributing to keeping households in the Saharan area in Stressed (IPC Phase 2) food insecurity. The official closure of the borders with Nigeria is further increasing market prices given the deterioration in livelihoods among people living in the Lac area, placing host populations and displaced persons in Crisis (IPC Phase 3).
