FOOD SECURITY UPDATE Special Focus on Huambo

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FOOD SECURITY UPDATE

January – February 2004

USAID Funded Activity World Food Programme

Special Focus on Huambo Fig.1. Basic Map of Huambo

KEY

Highlights Province capital Province border Capital of municipio Municipio border Towns Road Network Above normal rainfall and localised flooding hit large areas of Huambo province. This Food Security Update addresses the possible impact of these rains. PambangalaPambangala PambangalaPambangala HengueHengue Mungo Cassongue Mungo BimbeBimbe Mungo Although the actual impact of this rainfall on food Kuanza Sul security remains to be assessed, this Food Security Bailundo LuvembaLuvemba Update analyzes some of the possibilities. More LonduimbaliLonduimbali BailundoBailundo

LonduimbaliLonduimbali LungeLunge details will be provided following a joint FEWS Wama LungeLunge NET/FAO/WFP mission planned in late-February. BalomboBalombo UssoqueUssoque Bie The report will be available on March 5. Ekunha KatchiungoKatchiungo Chinguar Chinguar Ukuma EkunhaEkunha VilaVila NovaNova Heavy rains in some areas of Huambo may have ggaa ggaaTchindjenje Catchihungo Huambo CCa TchindjenjeTchindjenje Huambo caused crop loss or reduced yields, as well as Ukuma Caala Huambo livestock deaths and destruction of houses. These beelala LongonjoLongonjo nndada rains and subsequent flooding may have also Caala Tchikala-Tchikala- disrupted transport infrastructure, hampering Longonjo TcholohangaTcholohanga ChinhamaChinhama CuimaCuima market activity in the area. HunguloHungulo

CatataCatata ChicumaChicuma Restrictions to cereal and livestock trade are CusseCusse Caluquembe particularly significant to the food security of the LundaLunda SulSul province, as are potential delays in the supply of CacondaCaconda manufactured goods from neighbouring provinces. overall food security in the province needs to be This would mean higher consumer prices and better assessed. reduced food access especially for the poorest households. Given that the most vulnerable groups Figure 2 presents the satellite rainfall estimates for in Huambo, vulnerable returnees and asset-poor the entire 2003 OND (October November December) residents who rely on markets for 59% of their food season, while Figure 3 compares current rainfall for more than three quarters of the year, this is cause volumes (OND 2003) with the long term mean (LTM) for concern. in selected municipalities. These estimates are in line

with airport station data reported by, the National While excess rain may negatively affect food security Meteorological Institute (INAMET). in the area, it is generally considered that WFP stocks in Huambo are sufficient to meet the needs, at least over the coming months. FEWS NET (a USAID funded project) and WFP jointly produce on a monthly basis the Angola Food Security Update in collaboration with partners, including The Consortium for Development Relief Concerns Raised Over Excess Rainfall in in Angola (CDRA) and the National Food Security Huambo Directorate (GSA). For more information, contact Paulo Filipe, FEWS NET Country Representative by The provincial Government of Huambo has raised e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone (244) 2 443 926 / (244) 91 512 244. For more information, concerns over the current levels of rainfall. please visit the FEWS NET Website: Consistent with the SARCOF (Southern African www.fews.net/angola. Regional Climate Outlook Forum) predictions, the second rains in parts of Huambo have been above normal, but their impact on crop production and Figure 2. Satellite rainfall estimates October (mm) November (mm) December (mm)

Source: USGS/FEWS NET

growing areas. The season started effectively in the Figure 3. Comparison of current rainfall with third dekad of October in most municipalities. Mid- long term mean November was characterized by wet weather conditions in the central, western and southern part

Tchindgenje of Huambo while isolated rainfall was observed in northern and eastern areas. Heavy but poorly 100 distributed rains were observed during the months 80 of November and December that might have caused 60 damage to maize planted in the low-lying land.

[mm] 40 Satellite imagery analysis indicates that in LTM November, rainfall has been significantly above 20 OND 2003 average in six municipalities – Mungo, Bailundo, 0 Katchiungo, Tchicala-Tcholoanga, Ukuma, and Oc t I Oc t III No v II De c I De c III Tchingenje. Overall volumes recorded in subsequent Dekad periods (dekads) were close to normal. Overall, the impact of poor rainfall in terms of creating excessive Caala soil moisture detrimental for plant growth 100 distribution will have to be assessed in the field. 80 60 A rapid field assessment, conducted early in

[mm] 40 February by the Food Security Unit (GSA), reported LTM a normal start of the rainy season. According to their 20 OND 2003 report, rains were persistently high from November 0 onwards. The report estimated potential maize and Oc t I Oc t III No v II De c I De c III beans loss should current rainfall levels persist for

Dekad the next 30 days. A joint FEWS-NET/FAO/WFP follow up mission is planned for late February to Ukuma assess the situation further.

100 Markets and Food Prices 80

[mm] Excess rainfall begins to have an impact on 40 LTM market activity 20 OND 2003 0 Despite the structural constraints affecting the Oc t I Oc t III No v II De c I De c III efficient functioning of markets, market activity has Dekad been restored in some parts of the province. In an attempt to improve the general understanding of the Source: USGS/FEWS NET evolution of market activities, the provincial VA Early predictions for the Planalto area, including group identified three regions showing different Huambo Province, indicated normal to 30 percent levels of market development (see Figure 4). above normal rainfall occurring in most of the maize 2 Figure 4. Classification of market development areas important trade route with Bie and Kuando Kubango and Namibia, which supplied a substantial portion of the manufactured good to markets in Huambo.

Although it is too early to estimate the overall impact PambangalaPambangala Slow Market of excess rains on the province the already degraded Development Area infrastructure including roads, bridges and the Kuanzauanza SulSul railway may have been affected, and it will disrupt Second Major Market Development Area markets and fuel supply further increasing prices, which are already unseasonably high.

Heavy rains are influencing current price levels Bie

Although food prices normally rise during this time of the year, the sharp shifts observed in November and December cannot be explained by the depletion of domestic stock levels alone. Heavy rains are Primary Market affecting the supply of food in almost areas of the Development Area province.

In June and August 2003, for the first time in four years, the average price level (indexed by the food CaluquembeCaluquembe basket) dropped below USD 20 in the period LundaLunda Sul following the main harvest (see Figure 5). The CacondaCaconda decline in prices was clearly a result of not only

Source: VA January 04 - Huambo increased food production from the 2002-03 harvest but also better supply of food to the main markets. Major cereal and livestock market growth areas were Unlike the previous four years, current price levels identified around Caala, Longonjo, Ukuma, Ekunha, remained low until about the last week of October. and Ngove. These areas normally account for about A sudden rise in the price of all major food half of the annual maize production of the province commodities was observed coincidently in the and 1/3 of the total beef sold in the main market in months that rainfall was reported highest – Huambo. November/December 2003 and January 2004.

Other areas of market growth include the Alto Hama Figure 5. Average monthly cost of the food basket in Londuimbali, and Bailundo. These areas produce 50.00 a large share of the cereals produced in the province. Furthermore, the market in Alto Hama is growing 40.00 rapidly because it is located along a major trading route with the west coast and functions as a 30.00 transhipment point between markets in costal towns and those in the interior of the province. Key 20.00 informants report that the reestablishment of cereals Maize Grain [USD/Month] and livestock markets in Bailundo has been catalyzed 10.00 Maize Flour by increased local demand for non-food items such as clothing, radios and other manufactured goods. 0.00 May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan The Northeast and Eastern parts of the province, Source: WFP/VAM Database which have been more severely affected by the impact of the war, show much slower development of market activity. This may be also associated with In the first week of December 2003, increases in the slow recovery of cereal production in these areas. price of vegetable oil and salt, which are supplied Cereal markets in Tchicala Tcholoanga and from outside the province, accounted to 30 percent of Catchiungo will grow in the coming years if road the increase in the cost of the food basket. transportation to Chinguar in the neighbouring province improves. This route used to be an Whether the sharp increase in food prices are passed 3 on to vulnerable consumers remains uncertain. food needs of vulnerable people for more than two However, it should be noted that vulnerable months, assuming no further increase in the caseload returnees and the asset-poor residents who account in the coming month. for 35 percent of the total population of the province, depend on markets. More than 59 percent of their Current Priorities and Vulnerability in Huambo food is purchased in markets and 42 percent of their income from sale of farm labour. As a result, the This section provides brief indications of the food most vulnerable families may be doubly affected by security conditions in different municipalities. loss of labour opportunities on farms suffering from Populations assessed have been classified in one of crop loss, further reducing their food access. four categories based on the food security status and urgency of attention required by decision makers. WFP Current Stock Position People who are currently food insecure require immediate and urgent assistance. People with high The level of WFP total food stocks in Huambo as of vulnerability are expected to require assistance February 15 stands at 1,562 MT. Maize and pulses before the end of or during the lean season. The stocks are reported at 916 MT and 152 MT situation of those with moderate and low respectively. At current distribution rates (486,947 vulnerability will need close surveillance. beneficiaries per month) these stocks should meet the IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE

The most recent vulnerability assessment report concluded that although food security has improved in large areas of the province, more than 100,000 people need immediate assistance. Some 86 percent of these people are returnees who have resettled primarily in areas around Hengue Luvemba, Bimbe, and Cambuengo in Bailundo and Mungo municipalities. The WFP stock situation as of February 15 indicates that there are sufficient resources to meet the needs of the currently food insecure population. Figure 6. Current priorities and vulnerability WARNING in Huambo Some action is required as the food security situation

deteriorates Immediate Assistance Warning Watch Concerns Remain Whether the potentially vulnerable returnees in Mungo, Cambuengo Hengue Bailundo, and Tchicala Tcholoanga received enough seeds to BimbeBimbe enable them to participate in the current crop season is not Mungo

LuvembaLuvemba known with certainty. Nonetheless, close attention to the Galanga BailundoBailundo Alto LungeLunge following is required: Excess rainfall in late November hit Cumbila Hama primarily Mungo and Bailundo municipalities – both LonduimbaliLonduimbali Ussoque receiving 60 percent above normal rainfall. Therefore, Quipeio Mbave Tchiumbu Chipipa assessment of crop performance in those areas is a priority for Cacoma EkunhaEkunha Tchikala Huambo Tchikala the February Joint Assessment Mission. In addition, Mungo TchiacaTchiaca Huambo TchiacaTchiaca TcholohangaTcholohanga Katchiungo has been classified as a slowly developing market area Ukuma LepiLepi LongonjoLongonjo Caála making it difficult for returnees to access their food through TchindjenjeTchindjenje Calenga TchindjenjeTchindjenje Calenga Calima markets and trade. Should the food security situation Mundundo SamboSambo TchinhamaTchinhama deteriorate further, more than 250,000 more people will need Catabola immediate food assistance. Areas most likely to require some Chilata Hungulo Catala assistance include Cathiungo, Samboto, Cuima Chilata, Cuima Tchinjenje, Tchicala Tcholoanga and the peripheries of Huambo.

WATCH Close Monitoring Required Although food insecurity is widespread in the province, the food security situation of an additional 300,000 the returnees and asset-poor resident farmers in Caala and Ukuma will deteriorate if their crops were lost due to heavy rains.