Food Security Monitoring Early Warning System SAP/SSA Bulletin n° 100/February 2011 Publication : March 2011

Cadre Intégré de Classification de la Sécurité Alimentaire au Burundi ►The UNHCR notes that it has facilitated the repatriation of 771 P ériode de janvier à juin 2011 people, taking the total to 511 244 people repatriated since N UNHCRs repatriation programme began in Burundi (in 2002);

Giteranyi ►The La Niña phenomenon, which has seriously affected the Bugabira Busoni North-Eastern and Eastern regions of the country through delays Kirundo Bwambarangwe Ntega and deficits in rainfall throughout season 2011A is set to continue Kirundo until May, but with diminishing effects in Burundi; Rwanda Gitobe Mugina Butihinda Mabayi Vumbi ►The final report published by the Joint Crop and Food Security Marangara Muyinga Cibitoke Nyamurenza Gashoho Rugombo Mwumba Muyinga Assessment Mission (CFSAM) for season 2011A points to a 3% Busiga Gasorwe Murwi Kabarore Ngozi Bukinanyana Gashikanwa drop in production compared with season 2010A, mainly due to Kayanza Tangara Muruta Ngozi Gahombo Gitaramuka Buhinyuza the La Niña phenomenon; Buganda Gatara Ruhororo Kayanza Kigamba Muhanga ►The food deficit which emanates from the first semester of the Matongo Buhiga Mwakiro Mishiha Bubanza Mutaho Bugenyuzi Gihogazi year is of 498 884 tons of CE, thus a 10% drop in food availability Mpanda Rango Karuzi Cankuzo Bukeye Mutumba Rugazi Cankuzo compared with the same period of the previous year ; Mbuye Gisagara Muramvya Bugendana Nyabikere MutimbuziMubimbiMura mvya Shombo Bweru Cendajuru Rutegama Giheta ►The mapping and analysis of food security established Buja Kiganda Isale Mairie Ndava Butezi following the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification KaBnyuosjhaM ugongomanga Gitega Ruyigi Gisuru Nyabiraba Rusaka Nyabihanga Ruyigi framework (IPC) and the Joint Crop and Food Security

R RMutarmablu Mwaro Gitega Kabezi Kayokwe

D Butaganzwa Assessment Missions (CFSAM) of 2011A indicate that around Gisozi Nyanrusange Makebuko C Mukike Itaba Bisoro Kinyinya Muhuta Gishubi Nyabitsinda 227 092 vulnerable households are in phases of humanitarian Mug amba Ryansoro Bugarama Bukirasazi emergency: the Northern and Eastern depressions, areas highly ie Buraza Musongati Giharo n a affected by hail during season 2011A and in rural integrated Burambi z Mpinga-Kayove x{ Buyenger o n villages (VRIs) in the southern provinces; Rutanax{ a Rutana T ►Assistance in emergency agricultural inputs for season 2011B Bururi Rumonge L Gitanga has reached 167 109 of the most vulnerable households; a c x{ Bukemba

T x{ a ► The WFP office of Burundi has distributed 1 601 tons of food to n x{ g Makamba Kayogoro a Vugizo n 265 929 beneficiaries throughout February 2011 and is y i k Makamba a experiencing an overall deficit of 4365 tons, for the period of April Nyanza_Lac Kibago x{ Mabanda x{ to September 2011; x{ Phase Actuelle ou Imminente ► According to UNICEF, an increase in recorded cases of Généralement en malnutrition has been observed since the end of 2010, most 30 0 30 Km sécurité alimentaire Insécurité alimentaire significant in those provinces most vulnerable to food insecurity. modérée/limite Risque de détérioration de la phase Crise alimentaire aiguë avec crise des moyens d'existence Veille  To read in the bulletin … Urgence Humanitaire Risque modéré Famine/Catastrophe Risque élevé humanitaire

Evolution of price trends of basic foods on the national markets (2002-2010) 1000

800

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200 Prce(Fbu/kg)

0 Jul-02 Jan-03 Jul-03 Jan-04 Jul-04 Jan-05 Jul-05 Jan-06 Jul-06 Jan-07 Jul-07 Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10

P.douce Ngozi P.douce Gitega Haricot Ngozi Haricot Bujumbura

This monthly bulletin aims to prevent serious nutritional crises and is used to distribute information regarding food security in Burundi. It emanates from the collaboration of FAO, OCHA, WFP, UNICEF, MINAGRIE and [Type text]NGOs operating in the field, with support from donors and notably the EU delegation.

Contacts SAP/SSA : [email protected]; [email protected] FAO/CAUR Communications Translation

1. Security and population movements East of the country. This delay in seeding has also affected the harvest period, which is the basis on which the Throughout February 2011, UNHCR facilitated the return prolongation of the hunger gap is based (typical food of 771 people returning from Tanzania; 289 people who shortage between two harvests) on the one hand, and the had fled in 1972, 480 in 1993 and 2 spontaneous. From overlap of seasons 2011A and 2011 B on the other. 2002 until the 28th February 2011, UNHCR has recorded a Subsequently, farmers who typically use seeds produced in total of 511 244 repatriated people. season A for the planting of crops for season B have At the end of the same month, UNHCR registered a total difficulty finding seeds for season 2011B which normally of 1 330 Congolese refugees who are in the process of begins in February. voluntary repatriation which began in October 2010 (in the Bean crop, which had experienced significant drops in context of voluntary repatriation of fleeing Congolese who production in recent seasons, has been the most affected are in Burundi). by these water deficits. Hailstorms, which accompanied the torrential rains of December 2010 and January 2011 have 2. Rainfall Situation systematically shaken all crops of the affected areas, located mainly at high and medium altitudes. February marked the ending of season A and the Moreover, the report published by the Joint Crop and beginning of season B, the latter being the most important Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) for season in Burundi. The rainfall situation which prevailed 2011A, carried out in partnership with MINAGRIE, FAO, throughout season 2011A was very irregular. The La Niña WFP, UNICEF and other national and international weather phenomenon has continued since September 2010 partners, has established that production for season 2011A and has resulted in significant water deficits or delays or is at 255 000 tons of CE (Cereal Equivalent), thus an significant breaks in rainfall observed from September to overall drop of 3% compared to the same season of the December 2010. The regions of Bugesera, Moso, previous year (2010A), which in itself had a low Buyugoma and Bweu; in the North-East, Central-East and production outcome. The below curve displaying the East of the country were the most affected by these water evolution of the overall production for A season displays a deficits at the end of 2010. stabilization beginning in 2007, following significant drops In addition, stormy rainfall and hailstorms were witnessed experienced since the 1990s. from January 2011, leading to severe damage to crops and infrastructures (houses and schools), mostly in the Evolution of total food production for A season regions at high and medium altitudes. The analysts of the from 1993 to 2010 (in thousand tons of CE) Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) 600 point to three levels of hail severity (determined by the 500 crop losses). Level 1 corresponds to losses of less than 400 40%, level 2 corresponds to losses of between 40% and 75%, while level 3 corresponds to losses of 75% and 300 above. Data collected by the SAP/SSA resource point to 200 more than 50 000 households; more than 300 000 100 people, which have been affected by a hail severity of 0 level three and who therefore need urgent agricultural assistance. For the period covered by the beginning of season 2011B, the La Niña phenomenon is set to continue until May 2011, but forecasts for Burundi class normal to excessive rainfall between March and May 2011 as Given that throughout this period the population has probable, according to the Geographic Institute of grown by 3% each year, the per capita production has Burundi (IGEBU). Only the regions of and experienced a significant decline. This drop in production Kirimiro could experience slightly below average rainfall is estimated at 44% between season 1993A and 2011A, according to IGEBU. The repercussions of La Niña in and at 12% and 6% respectively for seasons 2007A and Burundi are in effect felt due to rainfall which comes from 2010A. the highly humid air mass of the Congo basin. In addition to the relative drop in production (overall per capita production), the quality of the production has also 3. Agricultural situation been compromised by the continued drop in production of pulses; a crop which is the most sensitive to climate The water deficit characterized by the delay and breaks in related hazards. The ratio of production of pulses rainfall due to the La Niña phenomenon as well as the compared with other groups of crops for season A is of stormy rainfall and hailstorms have constituted some 0.43 in 1993, 0,17 in 2007 and 0.12 in 2011. major hurdles for production from season 2011 A. In effect, the delay in rainfall has displaced, by more than two months, the establishment of the season, most significantly in the regions of the North, North-East and

4. Food access and availability most fragile populations are in phase III having been in phase II in previous seasons. The drop in production for season 2011A affects the level The affected population is estimated to around 227 092 of national food availability during the first semester of households (that is 1 135 460 persons), of whom 25% this year. The final report of the Joint Crop and Food were victims of hail. The risk of a deterioration of the food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) for season 2011A security situation is also aggravated by the banana crop showed that the food balance for the first semester of disease BXW, confirmed by technical services in the 2011 has experienced a food deficit of 498 884 tons of CE. regions bordering Tanzania and the Democratic Republic Of the 838 000 tons of CE (total needs), nationally, of Congo (see the “At glance” section). 273 000 tones CE are covered by agricultural production, The IPC analysis has identified a series of major challenges 35 000 tons are be covered by imports, and 31 116 by including: (i) the improvement of the levels of food WFP direct food aid. By comparing the same period for availability and access in the zones experiencing phase III the previous year (2010) which witnessed a food deficit of of acute food crisis accompanied by livelihood crises, (ii) 452 000 tons of CE, the food deficit has increased by the socio-economic reintegration of returnees in the sites 10%. Indeed, deterioration of food availability in Burundi to be prepared by the Government, taking into account the results from falls in all the food availability components: precariousness of vulnerable households of the host area, • A 3% drop in agricultural production; (iii) the minimization of the impact of price increases on • A 30% drop in imports of food products, vulnerable households, (iv) serious fight against the currently subjected to the Value Added Tax banana disease BXW, recently confirmed in some (VAT) of which they were exempted before communes bordering Tanzania and the DRC. Burundi joined the EAC (East African Community), but also following the low 5. Nutritional situation agricultural production recorded in the sub region, itself hit by the La Nina phenomenon; Since the last quarter of 2010, there has been an increase in • A 12% drop in food aid volume provided by WFP the number of acute malnutrition cases recorded in the which is currently adopting the Country nutritional services of the 6 provinces known to be Programme. vulnerable to food insecurity : the provinces of Cankuzo, Kayanza, Kirundo, Muyinga, Ngozi et Ruyigi. However the The recorded food deficit is unequally distributed in the increase in cases of malnutrition, this year, is the same, various regions of the country. The outcomes of the compared to the situation of previous years for a same analysis and mapping of food security (IPC) carried out period. The most noticeable increases have been recorded during the IPC workshop held from the 7-11 March 2011 in the provinces of Kirundo and Muyinga, representing at Ngozi facilitated the establishment of a mapping-related 60% of all cases of severe malnutrition recorded in distribution of the food security issue for the period vulnerable areas. Seasonal factors show that it is normal January-June 2011 (see map on the first page). The that admissions tend to increase in the next months, with analyses show that phase III of Acute food security the typical peak recorded between February and April. crisis accompanied with livelihood crisis prevails in :  The Eastern depressions (Moso) and Northern depressions, already highly fragile in previous seasons and much affected by La Niña (extension of the dry season and rainfall deficits) in season 2011A;  The Rural Integrated Villages(VRI) lacking access to land and water, or other livelihoods means. Only the (Mabanda) VRI might have experienced significant progress since the analysis at the end of 2010;  The areas typically targeted, in high and medium altitudes seriously affected by hail (level 3);  The Kabarore commune (Kayanza province) subject to particularly acute structural conditions.

Phase II of moderate Food insecurity is recorded in the remainder of the country, with a risk of deterioration at various levels. 6. Emergency responses Referring to the results of previous seasons, a phase improvement is recorded in the Imbo lowland, while the Unfavorable climatic conditions which prevailed in season Northern and Eastern depressions have remained in 2011A and the issue of the resettlement of returnees humanitarian phases for more than three years now. (especially those being settled in VRI), have guided However, phase deteriorations have been experienced in humanitarian activities in support to the launching of some areas (and hills) of medium and high altitudes. The season 2010B. The needs of assistance in agricultural

inputs for season 2011A are estimated at 14% of the Throughout February, WFP assisted 265 925 beneficiaries population (227 092 people) by the Joint Crop and Food with 1 601 tons of food, mainly through General Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM). These households Distribution programs, School canteens, Food for Work, are located in the North-Eastern and Eastern provinces of food to vulnerable people in institutions, food to refugees the country affected by rainfall deficits and in provinces at and returnees. A cumulative challenge of 4 365 tons for all high altitude, affected by hailstorms. The emergency relief the products is predicted between April and September, program for season 2010B targets primarily those which is equivalent to 4,4 million US dollars. The deficit households whose production for season 2011A was will significantly affect the launching of the CP (country fragile. This includes 60 650 households, benefitting from Program), including school canteens and nutritional seed fairs, agricultural tools, fruit and vegetable seeds. assistance to vulnerable groups. For February 2011, the 4 540 benefitting from seed distributions (beans, peanuts, UNICEF distributed 39 thousand tons of therapeutic soya beans) and 85 000 households benefitting from nutritional products to nutritional services in 15 provinces cuttings of sweet potato and/or cassava with fruit and which currently have the capacity to tackle acute vegetable seeds, as well as 4 700 households benefitting malnutrition. The reduction of geographical coverage in from cattle repopulation program (2 300 for egg-laying food supply by WFP has triggered reduction of hens and 2 400 for goats). admittances in services taking care of moderate acute In addition to the assistance provided by FAO, GTZ malnutrition, recorded since end 2010. assisted 4 219 households while the NGO FH (Food for the Hungry) assisted 6 000 vulnerable households for the launching of season 2011B.

At glance : Presence of the banana bacterial wilt confirmed

Considered as a potential threat to food security for over ten years, the presence of the banana bacterial wilt (BXW) disease in Burundi has now been confirmed by technicians of the MINAGRIE. The report of a joint mission of the MINAGRIE, the ISABU (Burundian Institute of Agro-Sciences) and of the CIALCA project (Consortium for Improving Agriculture-based Livelihoods in Central Africa), published in early January 2011 has confirmed the presence of the BXW disease in the provinces of Cankuzo (commune of Gisagara bordering Tanzania), Ruyigi (commune of Bweru), and Bubanza (). The disease has also recently been witnessed in the province of Makamba (commune of Makamba). BXW poses a serious threat to the food security of the population, most acutely where the disease flares up. According to IITA (International Institute for Tropical Agriculture) and the ASARECA (Association for Strengthening Agriculture Research in East and Central Africa), associated with research institutes of the sub-region, the disease was first identified for the first time in Ethiopia (African side), in the 1960’s, whe re it’s terrible and rapid expansion caused food shortages that affected 15 million people for whom banana constituted a basic food. The disease is caused by a bacteria « Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum » which has the ability attack the crop at all its growth stages and results in a wilting of the plant and/or premature maturation of fruits. According to the above research institutes, BXW spreads quickly (via insects, contaminated tools, affected plants, etc.) and cripples the plant to such an extent the only and ultimate solution is to cut and uproot all the affected area of the banana trees, cut the latter into small parts and let them decay in a hole for 6 months. Sterilization of the tools used to cut affected plants and plantation of new, healthy and certified ones are among required precautions to prevent spread of the disease. It is this destructive capacity which the BXW has which increases worries about its current spread in the East African region in general , and Burundi more specifically . Moreover, for the specific case of Burundi, the disease could be very dangerous for several reasons : (i) the spacing (density) of crops characterizing Burundi is an unfavorable factor for rapid spread ; (ii) banana occupies about 18% of the areas used for food crops according to the joint evaluations carried out by MINAGRIE/ FAO/ PAM/ UNICEF/ UNOCHA in June 2005 ; (iii) due to its high produ ctivity, banana occupies a predominant economic rank among other crops in the country ; (iv) this crop also plays a big role in the social system of the Burundian society and in the restoration of household’s capital; (v) finally, in Burundi, banana consumption per inhabitant might be one of the highest worldwide. In any case , the government of Burundi and its partners in the agriculture sector are aware of the negative effects of the disease on the food security of populations. It is the reason why moves for an integrated fight against the disease are being profiled, by urgently starting with a profiling of the situation though a prospective national study planned on short term by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, FAO, ISABU and the CIALCA project. This study will be accompanied with sensitization activities targeting technicians in the agriculture sector and the rural population, on the disease, the way it is spread and planned methods to control it.

The information contained in this bulletin does not necessarily reflect the views of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The names and definitions used in this newsletter do not in any way reflect the views of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of the country, its authorities, or the limits of its borders.

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