Food Security Cluster Newsletter: Strategic Plan, Events and News from the field No images? Click here NEWSLETTERGLOBAL FOOD SECURITY CLUSTEROPERATIONAL UPDATES The world is facing a food crisis of unprecedented proportions. BURKINA FASO Increase by 82% of population facing IPC4 conditions, in just one year. The FSC is urging partners to mobilize and support the 1,4 million people at risk and in need of humanitarian assistance during the 2022 lean season. Insecurity prevents farmers and cattle breeders from accessing fields and causes a significant rural depopulation with 1.9M IDPSs since the beginning of conflict. As a result, agricultural production fell by 10% compared to the five-year average. The cattle/cereal terms of trade have deteriorated by 30% compared to last year and the five-year average. The collapse of local production results in a rise in prices, further reinforced by the impact of the war in Ukraine. The food basket has increased by 38% between 2021 and 2022. Millions of households cannot cope with this increase. The population in Food Crisis (IPC phase 3+) has increased by 20% since 2021 and reached 3.45M people. Worse, the population in Food Emergency (IPC Phase 4) has increased by 82% in one year and now exceeds 630,000 people. In order to coordinate the response to this larger than ever food crisis in Burkina Faso, the FSC has deployed quantitative and qualitative tools to raise awareness and to harmonize the response among all 30 FSC partners. As of today, the FSC targets 1.4 million of people in need for the lean season. This amount factors-in that all cost-saving measures have already been taken, including cutting rations. SPECIAL BULLETIN-MASSIVE DISPLACEMENT HITS IN THE BEGINNING OF LEAN SEASON SUDAN Ripple effects of the Ukrainian conflict will further deteriorate severe food security crisis, with latest IPC indicators estimating 11,7 million people living in IPC3+ conditions. With significant increases in food and other commodity prices, a reduced harvest, and continued conflict forcing 3 million people out of their homes across Sudan, acute food insecurity is worsening at an alarmingly rapid pace. Latest acute food insecurity data indicated that around 11,7 million people were highly food insecure and classified in Crisis (IPC Phase 3 or worse). As increased needs were faced with drastic funding shortages, the Food Security Cluster (FSC) resorted to distribute half rations and reached 66 localities out of the 189 targeted, over the first quarter: this generated a 41% gap as per the HRP targets. The lack of resources also challenged the FSC capacity to develop the planned Livelihood projects: although 3,8 million people were provided with Food and Livelihood support over the same reporting period, this caused a 77% gap in the response. The macro-economic situation in Sudan is deteriorating. Food prices have nearly tripled compared to 2021 and are projected to be more than 400-500 percent above the five-year average. The early 2022 harvests were 35% below average, and 64% of the households do not have stocks to carry them over until the end of the lean season. Domestic production of wheat only covers 15% of Sudan’s wheat demand. In 2020, 60 % of the total wheat imported to Sudan came from Russia (55%) and Ukraine (5%). With a 1.7 million metric-ton deficit of wheat and a shortage of foreign currency for imports, a surge in wheat prices is to be expected. As a response, the FSL Sudan is finalizing the Sudan emergency response preparedness plan 2022 and is preparing for the HPC 2023 process. SYRIA The conflict in Ukraine has plunged global food and energy markets into turmoil, raising high food prices even further. Over the space of 2-3 years, the number of food insecure in Syria increased by roughly 50%, from 7.9 million in 2019 to 12 million in 2022. The potential ramifications of the Ukrainian crisis on Syria already heightened food insecurity levels. Syria procures food both from Russia and Ukraine as well as depending on international markets for key food staples such as wheat, vegetable oil, rice and sugar. There is a very high likelihood that food security in Syria will worsen to levels beyond the highest record. Currently, key highlights on increasing food insecurity in Syria due to the Ukrainian conflict impact are:
EVENTSPerspectives from the field on the repercussions of the Ukraine conflict on major food crisis – April 13th The gFSC organized a special Global Partners’ Meeting on Ukraine crisis and its repercussions on major food crisis at global level. gFSC members and FSC teams in countries already registered food and fuel prices increase and decrease of import of cereals and other key items related to food security and production. Conditions are particularly alarming in countries which were already facing severe food insecurity and therefore depend on food imports. Additionally, the gFSC is highly concerned about the scarcity and competition of resources among the different food security crisis, hit also by the increase on cost of humanitarian food and agriculture assistance. Video Recording | Perspective from the field (PDF) | Slides available on the website Unprecedented needs call for immediate action, Global Partners Meeting - May 26th Food insecurity has reached unprecedented levels in several countries due to conflict, climate shocks, drought, impact of covid-19, increase food. gFSC, along with FAO and WFP both cluster lead agencies of Food Security Clusters, are particularly concerned by the alarming situation in countries where a large part of the population is in IPC 4 and some in or at risk to fall in IPC 5 level. The Food Security Clusters are adapting the response to meet the increased levels of needs, however urgent funding and collaboration are needed to prevent further losses of lives and disruption of livelihoods. The Global Partners Meeting aimed at providing global highlights of the unprecedented level of needs and the set of interventions required to address the continuous deterioration in food security conditions. gFSC is urging partners to mobilize and to act together to prevent more starvation and loss of lives. Keep monitoring the dedicated webpage for the latest news on this issue. Available resources & toolkitsInter-cluster statement Humanitarian needs are increasing rapidly, globally, across many countries, from limited access to food, safe water, health, and nutrition services that have a direct effect on livelihoods. To prevent further deterioration, the Global Food Security, Health, Nutrition, and WASH Clusters are committed to working together, along with other sectors, national authorities, and resource partners, to deliver an efficient and effective humanitarian response. The four clusters are united in calling on all parties to work jointly and actively to avert the global hunger crisis, save lives, protect livelihoods and build resilience. We highly encourage you to read our joint statement, share widely and take action. FSC perspectives from the field on the repercussions of the Ukraine conflict on major food crisisAvailable data analysis indicates an alarming impact of the Ukraine conflict on major food crisis at global level: food and fuel prices increase as well as decrease of import of cereals and other agricultural inputs (e.g. fertilizers) will have detrimental repercussions on food security crisis especially in highly import-dependent countries and on the cluster’s capacity to provide assistance to millions of people across the globe.Food Security Cluster Country-Level Response Framework Globally, acute food insecurity is at a record high level and expected to increase further due to high food prices and inflation. Beside the ripple effect of the Ukraine crisis, other conflicts and economic and climatic factors are expected to worsen the alarming 2021 food insecurity trend. In 2021, numbers were already seven times higher than in 2016, with almost 40 million people facing IPC4 and above conditions. NEWS FROM THE FIELD Burkina Faso Presentation of Humanitarian and Food Security Context (June 2022) in Burkina Faso South Sudan Appeal Reaching severely food insecure and malnourished communities in a protracted crises Over the past 3 years the PiN caseload has increased from 6.5 to 7.7 million people (excludes refugees) whilst funding & resources have declined; support is then spread more thinly. Check the website to keep updated with the global cluster team new members |