In 2008, 36 percent of the population was food insecure, of which 6 percent were classified as severely food insecure. The country has an “extremely alarming” state of hunger, and the global hunger index is significantly high at 42.7. The food insecure households are particularly concentrated in the East of the country. About 40 percent of children are malnourished, and 11 percent of them are acutely malnourished. Approximately 550, 000 people were internally displaced in 2008 and are currently vulnerable to food insecurity. The food security situation is further exacerbated by conflict. More than 60 percent of households reported being victim of rampage over the last two years (WFP 2008).

High food prices have implied a further deterioration in the nutritional status of the poorest households. In order to cope with the crisis, households have removed children from schools, reduced the quantity and quality of meals, switched to less preferred food items, and decreased expenditure on non essential items such as transportation. Households have also undertaken secondary jobs for additional income such as vegetable gardening and petty commerce (WFP 2008).

The urban areas have been significantly affected by higher prices. Although prices have fluctuated by varying magnitudes in different cities, the impact has been drastic in urban areas. For instance, price of maize in one city increased by 300 percent from 2007 to 2008 (WFP 2008). The government has responded by reducing import taxes (WFP 2009). However, many other policy measures need to be implemented in order to improve the short- and long-term food security situation in the country.