HIGHLIGHTS
- The financial and broader economic crisis, coupled with recent increases of already high food prices, have started to more visibly impact rural households in Tajikistan. More unemployment, less remittances and even bankruptcies of small businesses have been registered.
- Around 1.4 million people were identified as food insecure. Of these, 480,000 of them severely food insecure; more than half are chronically food insecure. The rest are affected transitionally (because of a shock), which explains variation between zones over time. These numbers are similar to the ones of last year.
- The level of severe food insecurity in the country did not change much since January 2009. The situation did not deteriorate mainly due to a wide array of coping strategies applied by households and external assistance provided to vulnerable families.
- However, moderate food insecurity has been rising, also in zones that were not affected before. This development is mainly linked to the losses in remittances and increased unemployment. If households continue to be unable to cope, the situation might deteriorate further, especially in the northern part of the country.
- Sughd and Khatlon remain the most food insecure regions. The situation in most zones in Sughd has worsened, especially in B. Gafurov and Mastcho areas. Khatlon, Muminobod, Temurmalik and Khuroson areas remain the most affected. Some improvements in food consumption have been noted there, mostly due to short-term coping strategies.
- Household food consumption improved since the last assessment, but access to food remains an issue. The recommendations for action are unchanged: short-term interventions combined with long-term assistance in the fields of employment, water and agriculture. Special emphasis should be given to disaster-stricken areas where both food and non-food assistance should be provided during emergency and early recovery phases.