Reference Date: 27-March-2012
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FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
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Agricultural production hampered by civil strife in 2011.
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Humanitarian assistance is still needed despite the improved civil security situation
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Civil strife hampered agricultural production
Harvesting of the 2011 second season maize crop was completed in January 2012 in the South. In the North, which has only one rainy season, harvesting of coarse grains was completed in December. In spite of adequate rains during the cropping season, last year’s political crisis resulted in lower cereal output. Official final estimates indicate that cereal production declined by 7 percent in 2011, over previous year’s level of 1.55 million tonnes, to about 1.44 million tonnes.
Agriculture has been seriously damaged in recent years due to the civil strife. The problems were particularly related to the shortage of labour due to population displacements, the lack of agricultural support services in certain parts of the country - mainly in the northern half - the fragmentation of the markets and other difficulties related to civil security. These problems have been exacerbated by last year’s post-election crisis, which has forced over 200 000 people to leave the country and seek refuge, mostly in eastern Liberia, while thousands others were internally displaced.
Most displaced persons have returned to their areas of origin, following the improvement of the security situation. However, UNHCR estimated that about 120 000 Ivoirians remained internally displaced while about 128 000 were still living in Liberia, as of late January 2012.
Assistance is still needed
In spite of the improved security situation, food security remains a major concern. Access to food for many households is being constrained by the disruption of their livelihoods. An Emergency Operation (EMOP) is currently underway, distributing food and providing cash assistance to 478 000 beneficiaries until 30 June 2012.
All humanitarian operations planned for 2012 will be carried out in the framework of a joint effort, the Consolidated Appeal 2012, aiming at providing assistance to about 2.5 million of beneficiaries, which by mid-March has received about 11 percent of its required funding of USD 173 million.