December 2012
Food Security Update- December 2012
Key Events and Early Warning
Roundup
Purpose: Monthly food security updates outline the key events occurring throughout Myanmar that are currently impacting the food security situation. By focusing on these events, it is possible to highlight areas where food security is likely to deteriorate in the short term, facilitating response and ensuring that all actors are aware of the evolving food security situation. Monthly updates are also intended to provide continuity and context to the WFP’s Quarterly Food Security Bulletins. Quarterly Bulletins and Monthly Updates can be accessed online at http://www.wfp.org/countries/myanmar/food-security/reports-and-bulletins.
Source of information: To compile monthly updates, WFP synthesizes information from a variety of sources, including observations from WFP and partner field staff, information from WFP and partner assessment activities, community reports or requests for assistance, government requests for action and information from various media outlets.
Interpretation and use of information: On a monthly basis, WFP classifies townships as “Stable” or “At Risk”. Areas are considered “At Risk” if there is a strong likelihood that the food security situation will deteriorate in the near term. Often, this includes areas that have experienced a significant shock. By contrast, an area is considered “Stable” if there is no indication that the situation is changing. WFP also highlights the actions taken to address emerging problems. Current situation
Stable (Region/State at little risk of change in food insecurity) Key Events in Dec: Locations: Konkyan, Laukai, Khun Lone, Lashio, Muse, Nam Kham, Nam Tu, Tangyan and Thein NI in N. Shan Pest Infestations Ban Wai, Long Tan, Pangkham, Weng Leng and Yin Phan in Wa Special Region o S. Shan (Phekon) Hahkha, Falam, Kanpetlet and Mindat in Chin State o Wa (Ai Chen) Hsihseng and Hopone in S. Shan
Irregular and untimely rains At Risk (Region/State at risk of deterioration in food insecurity) o Chin (Thantlang, Locations: Key Issues: Matupi, Tedim) o Magway (impact generalized across Kachin
townships) N. Shan (Kutkai, Manton) Chin (Thantlang, Madupi,
Threat to health and livelihoods, threat to Conflict and communal Tedim) paddy harvest violence N. Rakhine
o Kachin C. Rakhine
o N. Shan (Kutkai, Wa (Ai Chen)
Manton)
o N. Rakhine Threat to paddy, pigeon pea, sesame and o C. Rakhine Magway groundnut harvest
S. Shan (Phekon) Threat to Chilli harvests
Actions Taken/ Needed
Conflict/ Communal violence --- In Kachin and Northern Shan States, WFP, in collaboration with partners, provided assistance to more than 29,000 displaced people in December, distributing 472 metric tons of food. In Rakhine State, WFP continues to provide assistance to IDPs, with more than 106,000 (in Sittwe, Kyauktaw, Kyauk Phyu, Min Bya, Mrauk U, Myebon, Pauktaw, Ramree, Buthidaung, Rathedaung and Maungdaw) reached in December. Overall, nearly 1,700 metric tons of food was distributed.
Irregular and untimely rains --- In Chin, WFP conducted a rapid assessment of villages reporting significant harvests losses in 2012. Assessment teams visited Thantlang, Tiddim and Matupi and information is being cross-checked with an ensuing government-led assessment. In Magway, WFP gathered and analyzed tempature and rainfall data in an attempt to explore the severity of reported dry spells throughout the 2012 monsoon season. Results are being compared with reported crop losses in certain areas and WFP will shortly release a special update on the Dry Zone.
Pest infestations in Paddy fields--- In Wa (Ai Chen), the WFP sub office conducted a rapid assessment in a select number of villages of Ai Chen township that were reportedly impacted by crop losses due to pest infestations. Results indicated that 16 villages were affected, resulting in a 70-80% harvest loss.
December 2012
Food Security Update- December 2012
Key Events and Early Warning
Expanded Summary At Risk Threat to health and livelihoods, threat to paddy harvests Fighting intensified during the last weeks of December, as Government troops began an offensive on KIA headquarters in Laiza. Given the violence, it is likely that the Laiza, Myitkyina, Wai number of IDPs has increased although due to the security situation this cannot be Kachin Maw, Moenyin, Chipwe, verified. HpaKant On-going insecurity and conflict continue to impact crop production throughout the state. Maize and paddy production in 2012 were reduced but the percentage lost still needs to be confirmed.
Maize and paddy yields from 2012 monsoon season are impacted by generalized insecurity in the area, as typical agricultural activities have been disrupted. The scope of the losses, however, still needs to be quantified at this point. In Kutkai and Manton, N. Shan Kutkai, Manton fighting intensified in mid-December, resulting in the displacement of 9 villages. Overall, close to 400 people sought refuge at surrounding churches.
Unusual rainfall patterns also reportedly impacted paddy and maize production.
Due to irregular rains, paddy harvests were affected across Chin Sate. Farmers from border areas of Thantlang, Madupi and Tedim reported marked reductions in paddy production in 2012. Assessments reveal that harvests stocks will expire in January or Chin Thantlang, Matupi, February for the hardest hit communities, resulting in an abnormally long hunger gap Tedim in 2013. Harvests losses are already reportedly leading to sale of livestock and increased reliance on wild foods in parts of Thantlang and Madupi township.
Livelihoods continue to be disrupted in violence-affected areas of Rakhine State. A December livelihoods assessment conducted by WFP in Sittwe township points to Maungdaw, Buthidaung, significant disruption to agricultural, fishing and wage labour activities, impacting the N. Rakhine, C. Rathedaung, Sittwe, livelihoods and well-being of both Rakhine and Muslim populations. Assessment Rakhine Pauktaw, Kyauk Phyu, findings are available at http://www.wfp.org/countries/myanmar/food- Myebon, security/reports-and-bulletins. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UNDP also conducted assessments in December. Findings for both assessments will be available in the coming weeks.
A rapid assessment in Ai Chen confirmed community reports of crop infestations. In total, 16 villages appear to have been affected, resulting in a 70-80% harvest loss. Wa Ai Chen As 70% of farmers rely on own production as their main source of food in this area, this is likely to significantly impact the food security situation in affected villages. Threat to paddy, pigeon pea, sesame and groundnut harvest Paddy, sesame, groundnut and pigeon pea were all harvested in December but given less rainfall/ water scarcity, production was quite a bit lower than normal, with some Impact generalized Magway estimates placing losses at 30-50%. across townships Losses were reported across townships. In Chauk township, however, losses were more severe. In places, pigeon pea harvests were only 5% of normal of production. Threat to Chilli harvests The WFP sub office in Taungyyi estimates a 40% loss in chili production in 3 villages due to rat infestations. This loss is a further stress on chili farming communities which S.Shan Phekon were already considered highly food insecure. Certain chili farming communities currently receive emergency food assistance from WFP.
Continuing concerns from previous Updates… Problem Location Summary
Pakokku,Chauk Yaesagyo, With water levels in villages ponds lower than normal, some villagers have to buy water from deep Water scarcity Natmauk, tube well owners for domestic use in certain areas. Yenangyaung