Food prices too high for families

Inflation caused by the illicit importation of Somali banknotes is threatening food security and leading to increased malnourishment in many areas of Somalia, the European Union-funded FAO/Food Security Assessment Unit (FSAU) said in May. Malnutrition rates were higher than would be expected in many agriculturally productive areas, partly as a result of raised food prices, FSAU said in its monthly nutrition update. “The fluctuations in food security have no doubt taken their toll at household level in all food economy groups,” FSAU said. The continued ban on live animal exports to the markets in the Gulf region, and the prolonged dry season in some areas had also badly affected the access of households to essential foods and water, FSAU said. While food and water prices have risen as a result of drought and the depreciation of the Somali shilling, many poor families have seen their incomes severely reduced by the decline of the livestock trade. “All food economy and wealth groups have undoubtedly felt the impact of these three influences, although, as always, the poorer groups will be the first affected due to lower asset levels and lack of income diversification,” FSAU said.