The UEMOA area facing the 2021 food and nutrition crisis

For the second consecutive year, the eight UEMOA Member States are facing a major food and nutrition crisis. According to the March and June 2021 estimates of the Cadre harmonisé, at the beginning of the lean season 2021, the number of acutely-food insecure people in the UEMOA area may reach 8.1 million people, compared to 5.7 million in June-August 2020. An additional 22.9 million people are currently “under pressure” (phase 2) and could fall into a crisis situation if appropriate measures are not taken. The nutrition situation remains precarious in most Sahelian countries due to limited access to health centres as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the security crisis. Vulnerable populations are concentrated in conflict‑affected areas in the Liptako‑Gourma area (Sahel, Central North, North and East in Burkina Faso; Gao and Mopti in Mali and Tillabery in Niger) as well as in the border area between Niger and Nigeria. Civil insecurity remains one of the main aggravating factors of this food and nutrition situation, generating large flows of internally displaced persons (more than 1.1 million in Burkina Faso) and causing health centres and schools to close and depriving children of school meals. This has led to a sharp increase in the need for food and humanitarian assistance. Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegal have already drawn up national response plans, but lack the necessary funding. Burkina Faso and Mali also recorded a strong boost in food production, with increases of 13.0% and 7.8% respectively, compared to the previous agricultural campaign. More than ever, the capacity of vulnerable households to access food must be strengthened. Economic recovery is underway. According to BCEAO estimates, real GDP in the UEMOA area grew by 4.6% in the first quarter of 2021. Inflation remains under control, with a rate of 1.8% at the end of February 2021.