Main Findings. WFP Food Security Monitoring System (FSMS) West Darfur State. Round 10 (May 2011)

Transcription

1 WFP Food Security Monitoring System (FSMS) Round 1 (May 11) West Darfur State Main Findings Data collection was carried out in May 11, which corresponds to the pre hunger season and all the sentinel sites were reached. The overall security situation has deteriorated for all community groups (IDPs, mixed and resident communities) compared to February 11 with a shift of households from the secure to the moderately category. The deterioration in security is mainly attributed to a weak purchasing power, less income opportunities in the pre lean season and decreased consumption scores. Employment status and the education level of households heads have a clear impact on households security status. Food consumption has improved considerably among IDPs in camps. Meanwhile, consumption scores are deteriorated among both refugees and mixed communities. The price of sorghum in May 11 is similar to that reported in February 11, however, it remains above the five year average. The price of the Minimum Healthy Food Basket (MHFB) in May 11 is 1.4 SDG/person/ day, which is a 1 percent increase compared to February 11 price (1.3 SDG/person/ day). Between February and May 11, the price of vegetable oil and sugar has increased by 9 and 8 percent respectively. In May 11, households spend on average 8 percent of their income on items, a seven percent increase compared to February 11. Compared to May 1 and February 11, the purchasing power has deteriorated for households in all community groups. Some 9 percent of the households in mixed communities cannot afford one minimum healthy basket. The proportion of households who cannot afford minimum healthy basket have remained similar for IDPs and refugee groups. Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) data show that the situation has improved compared to February 11 and to the same period last year. The proportion of malnourished children among the refugee group, however, is higher compared to children in other community groups. The dietary diversity of children between 3 months reveals an overall improvement among IDPs, mixed community and residents. There is slight increase, however, in the proportion of children consuming less than four groups among refugee groups.

2 1. FOOD SECURITY Food security by community type In May 11, the overall security situation has deteriorated for all community groups compared to February 11. There has been a shift among households from the secure to the moderately category % % 4 9% 9% 4% 4% % IDPs have the highest proportion ( percent) of moderately households compared to refugees, mixed and resident communities. 1% Severely Moderately 1% Severely Moderately 4% Severely Moderately Severely Moderately There has been an increase in the percentage of households in the severely category, most notably in the mixed communities and for refugees. Feb. 11 May 11 The deterioration in the security is affected by a weaker purchasing power, less income opportunities in the pre lean season and decreasing consumption scores. Market situation and cost of minimum healthy basket prices The price of sorghum is similar to that reported in February 11, however, it remains well above the five year average. Two factors have contributed to the increase in cereal price in El Geneina market, compared to the fiveyear average; some quantities of cereals were moved out of West Darfur into North and South Darfur; and the government through Strategic Reserve Corporation has purchased large quantities of cereals from West Darfur markets. The terms of trade (ToT) between the numbers of sorghum sacks purchased per male goat has slightly decreased compared to February. In May 11, a livestock owner could purchase one sack of sorghum (9 kg) by selling one male goat. However, the ToT is lower than the five year average, when the livestock owner could purchase 13 kg of sorghum for one goat. Sack (9 kg) Sack (9 kg) SDG Sorghum sack purchased per male goat sold in Geneina market J F M A M J J A S O N D year average 1 11 Sorghum Prices In Geneina Market With the upcoming lean period, a slight reduction in the livestock prices was observed in El Geneina market. The price of the MHFB in May 11 was J F M A M yr average J J year_1 A S Year 11 O N D 1.4 SDG/person/day, a 1 percent increase compared to February 11 when the price was 1.3 SDG/person/day. This can be attributed to the increase in the prices of some items that are included in the basket, mainly vegetable oil and sugar prices that have increased by 9 and 8 percent respectively.

3 Income Sources This section reflects the importance of different income sources according to how much each of them contributes to the total household income. The most important income generating activities for the IDPs in May 11 include wage labor (39 percent), small business (1 percent) and sale of crops (1 percent). The contribution from these income sources remains stable compared to February 11, however, when comparing percentages to May 1, the contribution from sale of crops have increased from seven to 1 percent. The contribution from firewood collection has decreased significantly from percent in May 1 to six percent in May 11. This is mainly due to risks associated with firewood collection and the long travel distance people travel to collect the firewood. Thus, IDPs have changed to other income generating activities, such as wage labor and sale of crops. For refugees, wage labour remains the most important income source (9 percent), followed by small business (13 percent) and sale of firewood (seven percent). The contributions from wage labor, small business and sale of crops have decreased compared to February 11 and May 1. The contributions from firewood sales and other income sources, however, have increased compared to February 11 and May 1. This is can be attributed to limited working opportunities. Residents and mixed communities have access to more diverse income generating activities. In resident communities, wage labour is the most important income source (9 percent) followed by sale of crops ( percent) and salaried work (1 percent). In mixed communities, wage labour is also the most important income source (9 percent), followed by sale of crops (4 percent) and small business (13 percent). During this round, sale of livestock and firewood have significantly increased compared to February 11.

4 Expenditure Among the overall sampled households, an average of 8 percent of the households monthly expenditure was spent on items in May 11. This represents an increase from a 1 percent reported in February 11. Analysis of the proportion of expenditure on by community type shows that a high proportion of households among different community groups has spent over percent of their income on items. This is mainly attributed to an increase in the price of some items. The items that a typical household tend to spend on include sugar (14 percent), meat (13 percent), cereal (11 percent), oil (1 percent) and vegetables (nine percent). Major non expenditures were on health care (six percent), milling (four percent) and clothing and social events (both three percent). Other non- items, 4% Breakdown of household expenditures Transportation/commu nication, Milling, 4% Construction, Debts, Social events, Firewood/fuel, 4% Animal feed, Clothing, Health care, % Labor, Food Cereals, 1 Oil, Meat, Sugar, 14% Dairy, Dry vegetables, 9% Cooked, Water, Other items, 4% Agricultural inputs, The household purchasing power has deteriorated in May 11 compared May 1 and February 11, among all community groups. In the mixed communities, 9 percent of the households cannot afford one minimum healthy basket. The percentage is similar for IDPs and refugees. Residents have the highest percentage of households that can afford more than two baskets (3 percent). The main reasons behind the deterioration include an increase in the cost of the minimum healthy basket and limited income generating activities during the pre lean season. Purchasing power % 4 49% 4% 4% 4 4% 4% 39% 3 3% 3 3 9% % 4% 1% 1% 14% 9% % <MHFB 1 MHFB > MHFB <MHFB 1 MHFB > MHFB <MHFB 1 MHFB > MHFB <MHFB 1 MHFB > MHFB May 1 Feb. 11 May 11 Analysis of the median income per location per capita in this round shows a significant decrease in Garsila IDP camp, Abata and Delej compared to February 11 and May 1, due to limited income opportunity.

5 Food Consumption 9 Food consumption score by community type 8 8 The overall consumption situation in West Darfur is acceptable. For the resident communities, the situation is stable with 81 percent in the acceptable category. There is an increase in the proportion of IDPs households having acceptable consumption in May 11 compared to February % 9% 3% 9% 4 % % 9% Mixed communities have experienced a decline in the percentage of households in the acceptable consumption from 1 to percent, and an increase in the proportion of households in the borderline category. The weak purchasing power for the mixed communities is believed to be the main reason behind the decrease in the consumption score. A deteriorating consumption situation was also found among refugees with a decrease in the percentage of households in the acceptable consumption category, while the percentage of households in the poor consumption category has increased compared to February 11. % % Poor Borderline Acceptable Poor Borderline Acceptable Poor Borderline Acceptable Poor Borderline Acceptable Feb. 11 May 11 IDP camps Mixed community Resident community Refugees camps Moderately Severely Moderately Severely Moderately Severely Moderately Severely Days Cereal Animal Protein Eggs Fresh vegetables Oil Sugar Analysis of the consumption situation by location shows that the consumption score has decreased considerably in Abata and Shabab IDP camp. In both locations, the situation is deteriorating due to the significant decrease in the income/person/day in May 11 compared to February 11 and May 1. The dietary diversity analysis shows that the secure households in all community types have a considerably varied diet compared to the severely households.. Coping Strategy Index In May 11, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of households who are forced to use various forms of coping strategies in all community groups, compared to February 11 and May 1. The majority of the households had to engage in low risk coping strategies, with a percentage ranging from 39 percent among refugees to 3 percent of resident communities. Furthermore, four percent of the IDP households and the resident households had to use medium risk coping strategies. Refugees are in the most difficult position compared to the other community groups with 1 percent having to engage in medium risk coping strategies and three percent in 8 9% high risk coping strategies. The most commonly used coping strategies in West Darfur are to rely on less preferred or less expensive and to eat borrowed or borrow money to purchase. 8% No coping % % 9 Low Medium High No coping Coping strategy index by community type 9 % 9% 34% 94% Low Medium High No coping 9% % 4% 8% Low Medium High No coping 9% 4% 3 39% 1 Low Medium High May 1 Feb. 11 May 11

6 3. Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) Child MUAC by community type measurement was applied on 839 children in the age between 9 1 months in sentinel sites. Findings 1% indicated that the overall situation has improved compared to February 11 9% and May 1. Malnutrition rates are % higher among refugee children % % % % % compared to children in other % community groups. Three percent of the refugee children are severely malnourished while nine percent are Severe Moderate Severe Moderate Severe Moderate Severe Moderate moderately malnourished. Two percent of IDP children and five percent of Nov. 1 Feb. 11 May 11 resident children are moderately malnourished, however, there are no severely malnourished children in these two categories. For children living in mixed communities, one percent is severely malnourished and three percent are moderately malnourished. Proportion of Children DEMOGRAPHICS A total of 1 households were interviewed 9 percent are female headed households Average household size is persons Resident status: 33 percent IDPs in camps 11 percent IDPs outside camps 1 percent refugees in camp 4. Child Health and Dietary Diversity This section reflects dietary diversity of children in the age between 3 months with data collected from 91 children. Overall, the majority of households in all community groups did not provide their children with the essential four groups and the children are thus not receiving the nutrients required for growth. Proportion of Children % % % 9% 4 % % Child dietary diversity % 44% 4% 34% 9% % % % 44% 39% However, there has been an improvement in the situation of IDPs, mixed and resident <4 groups >=4 groups <4 groups >=4 groups <4 groups >=4 groups <4 groups >=4 groups communities compared to February 11, and a larger Nov. 1 Feb. 11 May 11 percentage of children in these three categories are now consuming more than four groups. In refugee camps, the situation has deteriorated, and a lower percentage of children are now consuming more than four groups compared to February 11. Mixed communities have the highest percentage of children () who consume less than four groups.

7 . Food Assistance In May 11, the percentage of IDPs receiving assistance has decreased significantly to 4 percent, compared to 93 percent in reported in February 11. Mixed communities have also experienced a drop in the percentage of households that receive assistance. This could be attributed to the applied targeting strategy, and also due to changes in seasonal support which normally runs from June to October every year in mixed and resident locations. In order to implement the caseload verification exercise in El Geneina and the vouchers program, distributions schedules were adjusted. 3 14% 1% % % 9% Proportion of household selling aid % % IDP camps Mixed communities Refugee camps Resident communities 1% May 1 Feb. 11 May 11 % receiving assistance 9 4% % 1 4 May 1 Feb. 11 May % There has been a reduction in the percentage of IDP households that report to having sold assistance from 1 percent in February 11 to eight percent in May 11. In the mixed communities, the percentage is relatively stable at percent. The main reasons for selling assistance are to buy other items that are not part of WFP basket (8. percent) and to cover milling cost (4.3 percent).. Who are the? Employment status and the education level of the head of the household have a clear impact on households security. Some percent of IDP households where the head of the household was unemployed were severely compared to nine percent of households where the head of household was employed. In mixed communities, 8 percent of households, where the head of household was unemployed were severely, compared to 1 percent of households where the household head was employed. Percentage Food Security by employment Employed Unemployed Employed Unemployed Employed Unemployed Employed Unemployed IDP camps Mixed community Resident community Refugees camps Severely Moderately

8 Analysis of the education of the household head and the security situation show that the education level has an effect on the security status among mixed as well as resident communities. In these community groups, there are a higher percentage of households where the head is educated in the secure category compared to the severely category. For IDPs and refugees, this trend is less clear. Percentage Having disabled members in the household has a clear impact on the security situation. In West Darfur, percent of the households with disabled members are severely compared to 13 percent of households without disabled members Food Security by education Not Primary Secondry University Not Primary Secondry University Not Primary Secondry University Not Primary Secondry University educated educated educated educated IDP camps Mixed community Resident community Refugees camps Severely Moderately