Photo credit: Bert KauffmanSouthern Africa faced widespread drought from the October 2018 to March 2019 rainy season, with less than 55 percent of normal rainfall totals, alerts FEWS. The 2018-2019 rainfall began a month late, triggering extended dry spells between January and March.
Photo credit: Denis Onyodi/Climate CenterEast Africa facing acute food insecurity as drought continues, alerts FEWS and FAO
Photo credit: Tommy Trenchard/PanosIn April 2019, the FAO Food Price Index rose 1.5 percent from March and reached its second highest level since June 2018. The increase was driven by the slight price increase in meat, diary, vegetable oils and sugar prices. The index, however, remained 2.3 percent below March 2018 levels.
The Cereal Price Index was down 2.8 percent from March and 5 percent below its April 2018 value. The decline was pressured by large export availabilities and slowing trade.
Photo credit: James Belgrave/WFPThe FAO/WFP Joint Rapid Food Security Assessment was recently released, drawing attention to the increasingly alarming food security situation in North Korea. The country faces food shortages after the worst harvest in 10 years. There is a food deficit of 1.36 million metric tons, and 10.1 million people are experiencing food insecurity.
Photo credit: United NationsThis piece originally appeared on IFPRI.org.
