The food security situation is currently stable in the northern parts of the country and concerns are in the southern parts mainly Masvingo and Matabeleland South provinces which are currently in Crisis (IPC Phase 3).
Currently, staple cereals are generally available throughout the country from both own production and the market, but low incomes and higher than normal prices of staple cereals are limiting household access, particularly in the southern provinces. About 40% of rural households had poor to borderline consumption reflecting generally limited diversity of food consumed. Due to lack of adequate water and grazing, particularly in Matabeleland South where livestock are a major livelihood source, household purchasing power has been severely constrained.
While the malnutrition rates point towards a stressed food insecurity phase (IPC Phase 2), the mortality rates pointed towards the crisis phase for the country. However, the nutrition and mortality levels are mostly resulting from non-food security related factor.
In the projected food security scenario for January 2013 Matabeleland North is likely to deteriorate to a crisis food insecurity phase (IPC Phase 3) while Manicaland and Mashonaland Central provinces are expected to deteriorate to a stressed food insecurity phase (IPC Phase 2).
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