NOTE: The projection figures have been updated in the December 2018 to February 2019 analysis.

The current situation reveals that all the ten districts are classified in Phase 2 ‘Stressed’. There is no district that is classified in Phase 3 or 4, although some districts have population ranging from 8% to 15% that is facing crisis food insecurity situation (Phase 3) and 1% to 2% that is facing an emergency food insecurity situation (Phase 4). Across the country 65% of the total rural population is expected to be in Phase 1 (‘No/Minimal Acute Food Insecurity’), 24% in Phase 2 (‘Stressed’), 11% in Phase 3 (‘Crisis’). 

The current food security situation therefore implies that more than four in five households are able to meet essential food and non-food needs without engaging in atypical, unstainable strategies to access food and income including any reliance on humanitarian assistance. However For the 11% that is in phase 3 (crisis) or worse, the response objectives recommended is that urgent actions are required to protect livelihoods, reduce food consumption gaps, and reduce acute malnutrition.

For the projected Period (September 2018-February 2019) which is the peak hunger period in the country, the districts of Mohale’s Hoek, Quthing and Qacha’s Nek will be classified under Phase 3 ‘Crisis’while other districts are in phase 2. For the three districts classified in phase 3, each has more than 20% of the total district population in phase 3 and worse. It should also be noted that all other district have proportions of population in phase 3 or worse which ranges between 10% and 18%. All interventions to protect livelihood, reduce food consumption gaps, and reduce acute malnutrition are recommended for all the population in phase 3 or worse.