Urban poor face food shortages due to high prices

The continuously rising prices of both food and essential nonfood items are threatening the food security and livelihood of poor urban households in Djibouti, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) reported in its monthly food security update for the tiny Horn of Africa country. "With again two percent increase in the total basket cost as compared to last month, poor households in the city can currently afford to purchase only around 80 percent of their basic minimum food requirements," FEWS NET said. The network, which is funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), said the price of sugar had risen by 25 percent compared with the same period in 2004, mainly due to trade speculation. The report also noted that the explosion of international oil prices was significantly affecting the income and expenditure of middle-income households and predicted that an increase in electricity tariffs from 1 September would only exacerbate the situation. FEWS NET recommended the implementation of a price-control policy to keep costs in check and suggested the provision of free school stationery, as many families were being forced to choose between buying food or school supplies. In addition, the agency suggested the expansion of school feeding programmes to urban poor areas. In rural areas of the country, food deficits that were reported earlier have been partially addressed by the ongoing UN World Food Programme food aid distribution financed by USAID. Some 47,500 people, the report said, were expected to benefit from the programme over a six-month period. FEWS NET emphasised the need to establish a coordinated mechanism for proper targeting of the most vulnerable groups. The network said recent rains had improved pasture in rural areas and the physical condition of livestock was expected to improve. However, it added that in certain regions, delays in the seasonal “Karan/Karma” rains - which occur between June and October - would have a long-term negative impact on livestock-dependent communities. It maintained that the timely provision of agricultural inputs to the market-gardening zone would be the driving force for the next year's vegetable production.