In August 2019, an estimated 6.35 million people (54% of the population) are classified in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity, among whom an estimated 1.7 million people are facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity and 10,000 people are in Catastrophe (IPC phase 5). Compared to the same period in 2018, there is a slight reduction in the proportion of people facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity by an estimated 5%. However, high levels of acute food insecurity still persist in the country. In both periods, these estimates are in the presence of humanitarian food assistance.

In the projection period of September to December 2019, the food security situation is expected to improve as seasonal harvests become available. During this period, an estimated 4.54 million people (39% of the population) will likely face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food.

In the post-harvest period of January to April 2020, the food security situation will deteriorate as household food stocks start depleting and an estimated 5.5 million people (47% of the total population) are likely face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity. The projection analyses have both factored in the presence of likely humanitarian food assistance.