Attachments
Key Highlights
Inadequate food consumption dropped slightly in October 2024 compared to the previous month
• In October 2024, food insecurity, as measured by inadequate food consumption score, reduced slightly from last month, dropping by 2.5% in in SBA areas and 2% in GoY areas. Nearly half of the households in GoY areas experienced inadequate food consumption, which is lowest in the last 3 months; however, this proportion is still 4.3% higher compared to the previous year. In SBA areas, 40% of households faced inadequate food consumption (see Figure 1). Despite the positive trend in food consumption, severe food deprivation, measured by poor food consumption, worsened in GoY areas, rising to a worrying level of 24%.
• October and November mark the peak harvest season for cereal crops in highlands and uplands, and a favourable fishing season in coastal areas. Improved access to food from own production, combined with low scale resumption of rapid emergency food response in SBA areas after a prolonged pause, contributed to improved food security in SBA areas, albeit marginally. Nonetheless, in GoY areas, the persistent depreciation of the local currency against the USD and rising prices of essential food items offset the seasonal improvements.
• In October 2024, the number of households reporting shocks and loss of income was relatively lower in the last three months. In SBA areas, loss of income was reported by 69% of households, compared to 54% in GoY areas. Inadequate labour and employment opportunities were the major shock affecting a quarter of households in SBA areas, while high food prices were identified as a major shock by the same proportion of households in GoY areas. This situation underscores the urgent need for targeted emergency food and livelihood assistance in the most affected areas.