Poor maize production in south compromises local food security;

emergency disaster response transitions to resettlement and recovery

Figure 1. Maize crop conditions in southern and central Mozambique as of April 30, 2007   FULL-SIZE IMAGE    Note: Crop conditions measured using the Water Requirement Satisfaction Index (WRSI). Source: USGS/FEWS NET.

Floods, Cyclone Favio and rainfall deficits in the first half of the cropping season have increased levels of acute food insecurity for thousands of households in southern and central Mozambique.  Flooding along the Zambezi River in early 2007 displaced thousands of households in central Mozambique, and Cyclone Favio, which struck southern coastal areas of the country, destroyed the homes, crops and other assets of more than 150,000 people. Across southern and parts of central Mozambique, cumulative rainfall was less than 70 percent of the five-year average during the first half of the agricultural season.

The long dry spell in southern and parts of central Mozambique throughout much of the season has drastically reduced or led to the complete failure of main season maize production in some areas (figure 1). However, markets in the south are still well supplied with maize, and prices are currently below the five-year average, thanks in part to an excellent harvest last year. However, from July onwards, some households in Gaza, Maputo and parts of Inhambane provinces are likely to face food deficits and potentially high maize prices that will limit their food access, and poorer households may require humanitarian assistance. However, significant rainfall late in the rainy season improved pasture and water availability in these same areas and will enable good second season production (see timeline).

The National Emergency Operations Center (CENOE) from the National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC) that was activated in February to coordinate response to the cyclone and the floods was deactivated in mid April following the conclusion of emergency phase. The accommodation centers created to house people displaced from their homes by the floods were turned into resettlement centers, managed by the provincial governments. In April, the INGC made its final food aid distributions to flood-affected families, providing them with a one month supply of food, as well as seeds and tools for second season cropping. The resettlement of 107,000 people displaced due to flooding in the Zambezi Basin will continue through July 2007, and will be followed by recovery and rehabilitation programs, coordinated by the government, with possible assistance from donors and other private organizations.

The Vulnerability Assessment Group mission is currently underway, and the results, which are expected in mid-June, should inform decision makers and response planners about the extent of food insecurity in Mozambique during the coming marketing year.

Timeline of Critical Events

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