The ongoing harvests in Burundi’s western region for Season A, along with recent improvements in cross-border trade due to the elimination of COVID-19 fees, have resulted in enough household stocks to stabilize staple food prices and sustain Minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes. However, the harvest is considered below-average, especially in the north and the east, and food prices remain atypically high while income-earning opportunities are limited.
As such, Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are anticipated in eastern Burundi, while Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected in the Northern Lowlands livelihood zone where food stocks are almost depleted. This is further compounded by April’s staple food prices remaining 50 to 85 percent above the five-year average and 70 to 135 percent higher than last year’s average. Notably, bean and cassava prices are also up by 77-85 percent above last year for several reasons, including lower food supply compared to previous years, high production costs and labor, depreciation of the Burundian Franc (BIF), and a weak currency reserve that contributes to the BIF’s fluctuating value.
The inflation rate remains high at over 30 percent, limiting poor households’ access to sufficient and nutritious food, especially in the north, where households have depleted their food stocks. In contrast, food security outcomes in the Northern Lowlands livelihood zone are expected to improve to Stressed (IPC Phase 2) with the arrival of the Season B harvest in June. Above-average rainfall in March and April contributed to favorable soil moisture levels, which are likely to cause near-average Season B cereal and root/tuber harvests nationally. Nonetheless, the bean harvest is expected to remain below average due to their sensitivity to moisture, although crops that are more conducive to rainfall, such as tubers, cereals, and bananas, are expected to perform better.
Around 56,000 refugees and asylum seekers who rely on assistance from the World Food Programme (WFP) and other partners are facing half of their usual food rations due to funding shortages. They are likely to face Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes through September as they have limited income-generating or employment opportunities. For this reason, the government has given refugees and asylum seekers the ability to seek employment outside refugee camps to increase their income and improve their access to food, although the job opportunities remain restricted to meet their employment needs.
The current food insecurity situation in Burundi calls for sustainable measures that address its root causes. The government needs to establish policies that improve crop production, reduce transportation costs for food, and boost the country’s export sector to improve foreign exchange and stabilize the value of the Burundian Franc. Development partners can also enhance their support in these areas to promote lasting solutions to the challenges affecting food security in Burundi. The funding gaps for refugees and asylum seekers can be bridged by mobilizing additional resources from development partners while strengthening efforts to improve the socio-economic status of these vulnerable groups.
