Below-average levels of rain and snow during 2007/08 wet season, high food prices, and low regional food supplies are likely to lead to increased food insecurity for farmers, pastoralists and poor urban households. Well-targeted food assistance and activities to strengthen households' purchasing power are needed until at least May 2009, as are policy interventions to facilitate bilateral agreements between countries and maintain tax exemptions on commercial imports.

Poor pasture development and reduced grazing land has decreased prices for livestock and incomes for pastoralists. These households are destocking and borrowing money to cope with food insecurity, and need immediate assistance. For agriculturalists, the poor harvest will lead to reduced food stocks which will begin to run out in October or November.

Many pastoral and urban households are highly food insecure and require support in purchasing food until at least May 2009. Agriculturalists will require assistance in October/November when their food stocks are depleted, and pre-positioning efforts are necessary in remote areas to prepare for the winter months.

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