As a result of the crop losses in the first harvest due to an extended drought period in July and August 53,297 households in 66 municipalities and in 979 communities are food insecure. The drought has affected maize and beans, two of the main staples, with losses estimated at some USD 10.7 million. Further impacts on food availability due to the El Niño phenomenon are expected in December 2012, at the time of the second harvest. Meanwhile, in August food prices have risen by the largest month-to-month percentage increase in the year, where bean and maize wholesale prices have increased by 12 per cent and by 10 per cent respectively since July.
It is expected that the effects of this event will last till early 2013, when most households rely on their second harvest for consumption. As of August, the Ministry of Health reported 8,348 cases of acute under nutrition and predicts a further increase during the next month.
October 2012