Insufficient rain has led to drought in the Greater Horn

Africa Weather Hazards

1. Locust outbreak has continued in western Mauritania. Breeding has extended to southern Western Sahara, where limited control operations are in progress, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

2. Poor early season precipitation has resulted in increasing moisture deficits and deteriorating ground conditions throughout portions of Angola, southern DRC, and northern Zambia.

3. Despite some increase in rainfall over the Greater Horn of Africa during late November, poor and erratic rain since late September has resulted in drought and impacted crops across southern Ethiopia, southern Somalia, and coastal Kenya.

4. Locust outbreak has subsided in northeastern Sudan. However, small scale breeding could increase locust numbers during December, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Central Asia Weather Hazards

A heavy snow hazard is posted for the higher elevations of Afghanistan and Tajikistan where precipitation amounts are forecast to exceed 25 mm, liquid equivalent.

Temperatures
Below-normal temperatures (negative anomalies of 1 to 6 degrees C) persisted across southeast Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan from November 27 to December 3. Temperatures averaged near to above normal across the remainder of Central Asia. Extreme minimum temperatures were at or below -25 degrees C across parts of northern and eastern Kazakhstan. Minimum temperatures fell below -5 degrees C as far south as Turkmenistan. The GFS model indicates that minimum temperatures will average at or above normal except for northern Kazakhstan where minimum temperatures are forecast.

Precipitation
Precipitation was limited to northern Kazakhstan during the past week. After a favorable pattern that brought much-needed precipitation to Afghanistan including snowfall, dry weather returned during late November and the beginning of December. During the next week, the GFS model indicates a relatively wet pattern with widespread precipitation throughout Central Asia. A heavy snow hazard is posted for the higher elevations of Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

Central America and the Caribbean Weather Hazards

Inconsistent and poor rain during the past several weeks has resulted in abnormal dryness throughout western and central Guatemala and north-central Honduras. Conditions on the ground may worsen as seasonal rain is coming to a close.

The October-December rainfall season has performed poorly in East Africa

1. Locust outbreak has continued in western Mauritania. Breeding has extended to southern Western Sahara, where limited control operations are in progress, according to the FAO.

2. Poor early season rainfall has resulted in increasing moisture deficits and deteriorating ground conditions throughout portions of Angola, southern DRC, and northern Zambia.

3. Despite some increase in rainfall over the Greater Horn of Africa during late November, poor and erratic rain since late September has resulted in drought and impacted crops across southern Ethiopia, southern Somalia, and coastal Kenya.

4. Locust outbreak has subsided in northeastern Sudan. However, small scale breeding could increase locust numbers during December, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

5. Insufficient rain during November has led to large moisture deficits and abnormal dryness, which have negatively affected cropping activities over parts of the Eastern Cape and Free State provinces of South Africa.

6. The risks for flooding are high in southern Zambia, Zimbabwe, and central Mozambique as heavy downpours are expected to continue during the next outlook period.

7. Below-average rain over the past six weeks has strengthened rainfall deficits and resulted in abnormal dryness across Tanzania and parts of northern Mozambique.

Africa Weather Hazards

1. Locust outbreak has continued in western Mauritania. Breeding has extended to southern Western Sahara, where limited control operations are in progress, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

2. Despite some increase in rainfall during late November, poor and erratic rain since late September has resulted in droughts, which have negatively impacted crops and water availability in southern Ethiopia, southern Somalia, and eastern Kenya.

3. Locust outbreak has subsided in northeastern Sudan.
   However, small scale breeding could increase locust numbers during December, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

4. Insufficient rain during November has led to large moisture deficits and abnormal dryness, which have negatively affected cropping activities over parts of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Free State provinces of South Africa.

5. Below-average rain over the past six weeks has strengthened rainfall deficits and resulted in an abnormal dryness over Tanzania, northern Malawi, and northern Mozambique.

6. Deficient rain since late November has strengthened rainfall deficits, resulting in abnormal dryness in eastern Madagascar.

This website allows you to explore how different scenarios of global greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change could change the geography of food insecurity in developing and least-developed countries. By altering the levels of future global greenhouse gas emissions and/or the levels of adaptation, you can see how vulnerability to food insecurity changes over time, and compare and contrast these different future scenarios with each other and the present day.

Insufficient rain received in many parts of Southern Africa

Africa Weather Hazards

1. Since December, increased locust numbers and breeding have been reported in western Mauritania, Western Sahara, and northeastern Sudan according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

2. Below-average and erratic rainfall over the past several weeks has sustained moisture deficits and resulted in degraded ground conditions across many parts of Uganda, Kenya, bimodal and unimodal areas of Tanzania, northern Malawi, and northern Mozambique.

3. Insufficient rain during November has led to large moisture deficits and abnormal dryness, which have negatively affected cropping activities over parts of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Free State provinces of South Africa.

4. Deficient rain since late November has strengthened rainfall deficits, resulting in abnormal dryness in eastern and southern Madagascar.

Central Asia Weather Hazards

1. Abnormal dryness is posted for much of Afghanistan & southern Turkmenistan given recent precipitation deficits and below-average snow water equivalent values throughout the basins of Afghanistan.

Central America and the Caribbean Overview

Rains may be a little heavier than normal this coming week along Caribbean coastal regions*

A few areas of moderate to heavy rainfall were scattered about the region this past week. Moderate rain was observed in eastern parts of eastern Nicaragua according to satellite estimates. There, 50-75mm were recorded. Parts of Costa Rica and Panama received greater than 25mm as well. Elsewhere, precipitation was lighter and scattered, but some parts of northern Guatemala and Honduras saw rainfall.
This pattern was fairly usual for the time of year, with a typical spatial distribution. Over the course of the past 30 days, several heavy rain events led to large positive rainfall anomalies (>200mm) that persist over eastern Nicaragua and northern Costa Rica. Any lingering flood threat in these saturated regions should diminish with lightening rainfall this week. Looking farther back into time, rainfall deficits in Guatemala and Honduras have disappeared as the climatology has dried out. Despite having not seen significant rainfall for quite some time, any lingering ground impacts seem minimal in these areas according to vegetation indices.

Looking ahead to the next outlook period, precipitation models suggest that moderate rains are likely across areas of Central America along the Caribbean coast. Potential totals of greater than 75mm would be greater than is typical for the start of the New Year. Rainfall coverage may also be more widespread than usual over northern Guatemala and Honduras while seasonal dryness will be observed for areas closer to the Pacific Ocean.

Africa Weather Hazards

1. Since December, increased locust numbers and breeding have been reported in western Mauritania, Western Sahara, and northeastern Sudan according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

2. Below-average and erratic rainfall over the past several weeks has sustained moisture deficits and resulted in degraded ground conditions across many parts of Uganda, Kenya, bimodal and unimodal areas of Tanzania, northern Malawi, and northern Mozambique.

3. Poor early season rainfall has negatively affected cropping activities over parts of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Free State provinces of South Africa. However, rainfall has improved in parts of the Eastern Cape and Free State in recent weeks.

4. Several consecutive weeks of poor rainfall has strengthened moisture deficits, resulting in abnormal dryness and drought conditions in eastern and northern Madagascar.

5. Since late December, enhanced seasonal rainfall has resulted in several localized floods, excess ground moisture and is likely to trigger additional floods throughout Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and the Caprivi Strip region. Rapidly rising river levels have been reported along the Limpopo, Save, Buzi, Pungue, and Zambezi Rivers due to heavy rains upstream and downstream.

6. A prolonged mid-season dry spell since late December has led to strengthening moisture deficits and deteriorating ground conditions across many parts of southwestern Angola and northwestern Namibia.

The impact of the 2015‒2016 El Niño weather phenomenon has been one of the most intense and widespread in the past one hundred years. The agriculture, food security and nutritional status of 60 million people around the globe is affected by El Niño-related droughts, floods and **extreme hot** and **cold weather**. While the El Niño itself has passed its peak and is now declining, its impact is still growing. Harvests in several parts of the world have already failed and are forecast to fail in other areas.

This report provides a **global analysis** of the current and expected evolution of El Niño-related disasters and their impact on agriculture, food security and nutrition.

Lighter, but well distributed rains received across much of southern Africa

Africa Weather Hazards

1. Since December, increased locust numbers and breeding have been reported in western Mauritania, Western Sahara, and northeastern Sudan according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

2. Below-average and erratic rainfall over the past has resulted in strong moisture deficits, degraded ground conditions, and poor crop prospects across many parts of Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, bimodal and unimodal areas of Tanzania. Seasonal rainfall has failed to increase throughout portions of northern Mozambique.

3. Several consecutive weeks of poor rainfall has strengthened moisture deficits, resulting in abnormal dryness and drought conditions in eastern and northern Madagascar. However, the development of tropical cyclone over the Indian Ocean may bring increased rainfall amounts along the eastern coastline towards the later portion of the outlook period.

4. Since late December, enhanced seasonal rainfall has resulted in large moisture surpluses and several localized floods. With wet conditions in place, risk remains high for additional floods throughout Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and the Caprivi Strip region. Rapidly rising river levels have been reported along the Limpopo, Save, Buzi, Pungue, and Zambezi Rivers due to heavy rains upstream and downstream.

5. A prolonged mid-season dry spell since late December has led to strengthening moisture deficits and deteriorating ground conditions across many parts of southwestern Angola and northwestern Namibia.

Heavy rainfall was widespread across much of southern Africa

Africa Weather Hazards

1. Since December, increased locust numbers and breeding have been reported in western Mauritania, Western Sahara, and northeastern Sudan according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

2. Below-average and erratic rainfall over the past has resulted in strong moisture deficits, degraded ground conditions, and poor crop prospects across many parts of Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, bimodal and unimodal areas of Tanzania. Seasonal rainfall has continued to fail throughout portions of northern Mozambique. A recent influx of rains has mitigated deficits in the southern part of Tanzania.

3. Many consecutive weeks of poor rainfall has strengthened moisture deficits, resulting in abnormal dryness, drought, and severe drought conditions in eastern and northern Madagascar. An increase in rain has begun to improve conditions for some central parts of the country but relief has not reached eastern coastal areas.

4. Since late December, enhanced seasonal rainfall has resulted in large moisture surpluses and several floods. With wet conditions in place, risk remains high for additional floods throughout Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and the Caprivi Strip region. Rapidly rising river levels have been reported along the Limpopo, Save, Buzi, Pungue, and Zambezi Rivers due to heavy rains upstream and downstream.

5. A prolonged mid-season dry spell since late December has led to strengthening moisture deficits and deteriorating ground conditions across many parts of southwestern Angola and northwestern Namibia.

Despite an increase in rainfall, long-term moisture deficits remain in Madagascar

Africa Weather Hazards

1. Below-average and erratic rainfall since December has resulted in strong moisture deficits and low soil moisture across parts of northeastern Mozambique.

2. Despite a robust increase in rainfall following the passage of Tropical Cyclone Enawo during early March, considerable long-term moisture deficits remain due to well below-average rainfall earlier in the season throughout the northern Madagascar.

3. Inconsistent rainfall and dry spells since late December have led to large moisture deficits across many parts of western Angola.

KEY MESSAGES

• In West Africa, regional staple food production during the 2016/17 marketing year was well above average. International rice and wheat imports continue to support regional market supplies. Current market anomalies remain largely concentrated in the eastern marketing basin, including but not limited to: conflict-related market disruptions in the Lake Chad basin, localized above-average grain deficits in Niger, the impacts of the continued depreciation of the Naira, and the closure of the Libya-Chad border, which has limited imports of processed and manufactured goods (Page 3).

• In East Africa, prices remain well above-average in South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen. Somalia is facing well below average domestic production. Markets remain severely disrupted by insecurity in Yemen and South Sudan. Import capacity in Yemen is uncertain, and food availability may be constrained in the coming months. Staple food prices followed seasonal trends in Tanzania, Sudan, and Ethiopia, while increasing atypically in Uganda and Kenya (Page 4).

• In Southern Africa, regional maize availability improved in February, as the 2016/17 production season continued. Production prospects for the current season are good. This follows a year of very poor maize production, resulting in very large regional deficits. Maize imports by South Africa and Zimbabwe from well-supplied international grain markets have offset over half of the regional deficit. Maize prices are now below their respective 2016 levels, but remain above average region-wide. Prices continued to increase in February in flood-affected areas of southern Mozambique (Page 5).

• In Central America, maize and bean availability increased following the recent Postrera harvest and the start of the Apante harvest. Maize and bean prices were atypically stable or increasing across the region, with varied trends compared to average levels. In Haiti, markets are still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Matthew. Local maize and bean prices remain above average levels in the major southwestern markets of Les Cayes and Jeremie (Page 6). Imported commodity prices remain stable.

• In Central Asia, average regional harvests and above-average stocks sustained adequate supplies. Prices were below 2016 levels in Kazakhstan, above-average in Tajikistan, and near average in Afghanistan and Pakistan (Page 7).

• International staple food markets remain well supplied. Rice, wheat, and soybean prices increased, while maize prices varied in February (Figure 2). Crude oil prices increased slightly, but remain well below average (Page 2).

KEY MESSAGES

• In West Africa, regional staple food production during the 2016/17 marketing year was well above average. International rice and wheat imports continue to support regional market supplies. Prices began to increase seasonally in many areas, as household stocks depleted and market purchases intensified. Current market anomalies remain largely concentrated in the eastern marketing basin, including but not limited to: conflict-related market disruptions in the Lake Chad basin, localized above-average grain deficits in Niger, and the impacts of the continued depreciation of the Naira (Page 3).

• In East Africa, prices remain well above-average in South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen. Somalia is facing well below-average domestic production. Markets remain severely disrupted by insecurity in Yemen and South Sudan. Import capacity in Yemen is uncertain, and food availability may be constrained in the coming months. Staple food prices followed seasonal trends in Kenya and Sudan, while increasing seasonally but sharply in Tanzania and Uganda (Page 4).

• In Southern Africa, regional maize availability improved in March with the progression of the 2016/17 production season. Regional maize production prospects for the current season are good, with record high harvests anticipated in South Africa. This follows a year of very poor maize production, resulting in very large regional deficits. Maize imports by South Africa and Zimbabwe from well-supplied international grain markets have offset over half of the regional deficit. Maize prices were generally stable or declining in March, and are below their respective 2016 levels in many areas (Page 5).

• In Central America, maize availability began to decline following the end of the recent Postrera harvest, while bean supplies from the Apante harvest continued to supply markets. Maize and bean prices were seasonally stable or decreasing across the region, with varied trends compared to average levels. In Haiti, local maize and bean prices are firm in most markets but remain significantly higher than average levels in the major southwestern markets of Les Cayes and Jeremie (Page 6). Imported commodity prices remain stable despite the depreciation of the Gourde.

• In Central Asia, above-average wheat harvests sustained adequate supplies. Intraregional trade is expected to fill wheat deficits on importing countries. Prices in Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan remained stable and comparable to the 2016 levels, however slight increases were observed in some markets. (Page 7).

• International staple food markets remain well supplied. Maize and soybean prices increased, rice prices were firm, while wheat prices varied in March (Figure 2). Crude oil prices fell and remain well below average (Page 2).

KEY MESSAGES

• In West Africa, regional staple food production during the 2016/17 marketing year was well above average. International rice and wheat imports continue to support regional market supplies. Prices continued to increase seasonally in many areas, as household stocks depleted and market purchases intensified. Current market anomalies remain concentrated in the eastern marketing basin, including but not limited to: conflict-related market disruptions in the Lake Chad basin, localized above-average grain deficits in Niger, and the impacts of the continued depreciation of the Naira (Page 3).

• In East Africa, staple food supplies remain tight and prices well above-average in South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen.
Markets remain severely disrupted by insecurity in Yemen and South Sudan. Import capacity in Yemen is uncertain, and food availability may be constrained in the coming months. Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania are also facing below-average staple food supply and above-average and increasing prices following poor harvests (Page 4).

• In Southern Africa, regional maize availability continued to improve in April with the progression of the 2016/17 production season. Regional maize production prospects for the current season are good with record-high harvests anticipated in South Africa. Maize prices were stable or declined in April, and are below their respective 2016 levels in many areas. The exception to these trends is in Tanzania, where supplies are tight and prices continue to increase in the central and northern areas of the countries (Page 5).

• In Central America, local maize availability continued to decline following the end of the recent Postrera harvest, while bean supplies from the Apante harvest continued to supply markets. Maize and bean prices were seasonally stable or decreasing across the region, with varied trends compared to average levels. In Haiti, local maize and bean prices saw a modest decrease from their March levels but continue to remain well above average levels (Page 6). Imported rice prices remain stable despite the depreciation of the Gourde. The recent removal of fuel subsidies has increased transportation costs and will place an upward pressure on staple food prices in the coming months.

• Central Asia sustained adequate supplies.
Wheat prices in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan remained stable and near 2016 levels. Rice prices in Pakistan increased following greater export demand, affecting also rice prices in Afghanistan. Intraregional trade is expected to fill staple food deficits in importing countries (Page 7).

• International staple food markets remain well supplied. Maize, wheat and soybean prices fell, while rice prices remained firm, (Figure 2). Crude oil prices increased and remain well below average (Page 2).

Key Messages

In West Africa, regional staple food production during the 2016/17 marketing year was well above average. International rice and wheat imports continue to support regional market supplies. Prices continued to increase seasonally in many areas in May with the onset of the lean season. Current market anomalies remain largely concentrated in the eastern marketing basin, including but not limited to: conflict-related market disruptions in the Lake Chad basin, localized above-average grain deficits in Niger, and the impacts of the continued depreciation of the Naira. In East Africa, staple food supplies remain tight and prices well above-average in South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen. Markets remain severely disrupted by insecurity in Yemen and South Sudan. Import capacity in Yemen is uncertain, and food availability will likely remain constrained in the coming months. Uganda and Kenya are also facing below-average staple food supply and above-average and increasing prices following poor harvests. In Southern Africa, regional maize availability continued to improve in May with the progression of harvests from the 2016/17 production season. Regional maize production prospects for the current season are good with record-high harvests anticipated in South Africa. Maize prices declined sharply in most areas in May, and were below their respective 2016 levels in many areas. The exceptions to these trends are in Zambia, where prices remain above average. Low regional maize prices encouraged exports to East Africa and beyond. In Central America, staple food availability continued to decline following the end of the recent Postrera harvest and Apante harvest. Maize and bean prices were seasonally stable or decreasing across the region, with varied trends compared to average levels. In Haiti, local maize prices were firm while local black beans prices saw a modest increase from their April levels. Imported rice prices were stable as the Haitian gourde appreciated marginally against the U.S. dollar. Higher transportation costs will continue to place upward pressures on staple food prices in the coming months. Central Asia sustained adequate supplies. Wheat prices remained stable in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, but started to decline in Pakistan with the arrival of the new harvest. Rice prices in Pakistan increased following larger export demand, affecting also rice prices in Afghanistan. Intraregional trade is expected to fill staples’ deficits on importing countries. International staple food markets remain well supplied. Maize prices fell, soybean prices rose while rice and wheat prices were mixed. Crude oil prices fell and remain well below average.

KEY MESSAGES

• In West Africa, regional staple food production during the 2016/17 marketing year was well above average. International rice and wheat imports continue to support market supplies. Prices continued to increase seasonally in many areas with the progression of the lean season. Current market anomalies remain concentrated in the eastern marketing basin, including but not limited to: conflict-related market disruptions in the Lake Chad basin, localized above-average grain deficits in Niger, trade disruptions related to the depreciation of the Naira and various government measures (Page 3).

• In East Africa, staple food supplies remain tight and prices well above-average in South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen. Markets remain severely disrupted by insecurity in Yemen and South Sudan. Import capacity in Yemen is uncertain, and food availability will likely remain constrained in the coming months. Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia are also facing below-average staple food supply and above-average prices following recent or ahead of forthcoming poor harvests (Page 4).

• In Southern Africa, maize availability is average to above average following recent regional harvests. Regional maize production prospects for the current season are good with record-high harvests anticipated in South Africa. Maize prices continued to decline in most countries in June and are below their respective 2016 levels in many areas. Maize grain is generally able to circulate between surplus and deficit areas without major trade restrictions. The exception to these trends is in Tanzania, where measures are currently in place to limit exports and prices remain above average (Page 5).

• In Central America, staple food availability continued to decline following the end of the Postrera harvest and Apante harvest. Maize and bean prices were generally seasonally stable across the region, with varied trends compared to average levels. In Haiti, local maize and bean prices eased with progression of the Printemps harvests (Page 6). Imported rice prices were stable while the Haitian gourde experienced a marginal depreciation against the USD.

• Central Asia sustained adequate supplies. Wheat prices in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan remained stable, but declined slightly in Pakistan with the arrival of the new harvest. Forecasts estimate that wheat harvests in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Pakistan will be slightly lower than in previous years. Intraregional trade is expected to fill staples’ deficits in importing countries (Page 7).

• International staple food markets remain well supplied. Maize prices fell while rice, wheat and soybean prices increased (Figure 2). Crude oil prices fell and remain well below average (Page 2).

Key messages

• International prices of wheat rose further in July on quality concerns, particularly for higher protein wheat, although upward pressure was limited by prospects of ample global supplies. Export prices of maize remained generally unchanged, while a slowdown in demand capped gains in rice quotations.
  
• In East Africa, prices of cereals in most countries declined signi cantly for the second consecutive month in July with the new harvests, but remained generally higher than a year earlier. However, in Ethiopia, prices of maize surged further and reached record levels, underpinned by uncertain prospects for the 2017 crops.
  
• In the CIS, prices of staple potatoes declined sharply from the record or near-record highs of June in most countries of the subregion with the beginning of the new harvest. Prices, however, remained higher than in July last year after the sharp increases of the past months.

Key messages

• International prices of wheat dipped in August, after increasing in the past few months, following an upturn in production prospects in the Black Sea region which improved the 2017 global supply outlook.
  Maize quotations also fell on improved weather conditions and abundant global supplies. International prices of rice were relatively stable, although price movements were mixed across the different rice market segments.

• In East Africa, prices of cereals generally continued to decline with the new harvests. The main exception was Ethiopia, where prices increased further at a fast pace, underpinned by the poor performance of the secondary season harvest and concerns over the main season crop, soon to be gathered.

• In Asia, domestic prices of rice decreased or remained relatively stable in August, amid generally favourable prospects for the 2017 paddy crops, about to be harvested, and a slowdown in demand. In Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, despite recent decreases, prices remained higher than a year earlier, mainly due to weather-related losses of main season crops, gathered earlier in the year.

171 projects in 39 countries – last year, Kolping International was able to support vocational training, agriculture, micro credit, and water projects with over 11 million euro. The donations by private donors increased significantly, amounting to nearly 7.3 million Euro – that’s an increase of over 20% compared with last year.

"On a highly competitive donor market like the one in Germany it is not always easy to win the attention of donors”, says Dr Markus Demele, General Secretary of the International Kolping Society. “That is why we are very happy about the significant increase in fundraising income. This proves that thousands of donors place trust in our work which enabled us also in 2016 to carry out sustainable poverty reduction projects in the spirit of Fr. Adolph Kolping."

The highest amount of funds for the project work of the Kolping Society was provided by the public sector: In 2016, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) funded SEK e.V.’s “Help for self-help” projects with 7,298 million Euro (2015: 6,873 million Euro).

Key Messages

• In **West Africa**, regional staple food production during the 2016/17 marketing year was well above average. International rice and wheat imports along with institutional subsidized sales continue to support market supplies. Prices stabilized or began declining after reaching their highest levels of the marketing year in July. Pastoral conditions improved, due to adequate pasture and water availability. Current market anomalies remain concentrated in the eastern marketing basin, including but not limited to: conflict-related market disruptions in the Lake Chad basin, localized above-average grain deficits in Niger, trade disruptions related to the depreciation of the Naira and various government measures.

• In **East Africa**, maize supplies are generally below-average, causing above-average prices across most of the region. Staple food price levels are especially high in South Sudan. Markets remain severely disrupted by insecurity and significant macro-economic issues in Yemen and South Sudan, impeding staple food supply access. Harvests are ongoing in Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda, and are about to begin in Kenya. Supplies are seasonally low in Ethiopia and Sudan as the lean season progresses.

• In **Southern Africa**, maize availability is average to above average following recent regional harvests. Regional maize production estimates for the 2016/17 season are good, with record-high harvests anticipated in South Africa. After reaching very high levels in 2016, maize prices followed seasonal trends in August and are at or below their respective 2016 and average levels many areas. Maize grain is generally able to circulate between surplus and deficit areas without major trade restrictions. Export parity prices are competitive and exports, encouraging exports to East Africa (from Zambia, South Africa, and Malawi) and International markets (from South Africa).

• In **Central America**, markets remained well supplied as the main maize harvest (Primera season) began and imports continued supporting local availability. Maize and bean prices were generally seasonally stable or decreasing, except in Nicaragua where the season is slightly delayed. Staple food prices remain near or below average levels across the region. In **Haiti**, local maize and bean prices continued to ease as the Printemps harvest draws to an end under generally favorable conditions. Imported rice prices were stable while the Haitian gourde maintained relative stability against the USD.  

• Central Asia sustained adequate supplies. Wheat prices generally remained stable in the region. Production forecasts remain largely unchanged from last month. Harvest in Tajikistan will be slightly above last year’s level, similar to last year’s level in Pakistan, and slightly below last year’s level in Kazakhstan and Afghanistan.

• International staple food markets remain well supplied. Rice, maize, wheat and soybean prices fell. Crude oil prices rose but continue to remain well below average levels.

Introduction

Irrational fears of HIV infection and negative attitudes and judgements towards people living with HIV persist despite decades of public information campaigns and other awareness-raising efforts. Populations at increased risk of HIV infection face high levels of stigma due to, among other things, their gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, drug use or sex work. Stigma towards people living with or at risk of HIV drives acts of discrimination in all sectors of society—from public officials, police officers and health-care workers to the workplace, schools and communities. In many countries, discriminatory laws and policies reinforce an environment of violence and marginalization. This stigma and discrimination discourages people from accessing health-care services, including HIV prevention methods, learning their HIV status, enrolling in care and adhering to treatment.

Studies on stigma and discrimination and health-seeking behaviour show that people living with HIV who perceive high levels of HIV-related stigma are 2.4 times more likely to delay enrolment in care until they are very ill (1). In eight countries with available data, more than a quarter of people living with HIV reported that they had avoided going to a local clinic in the previous 12 months because of their HIV status (Figure 1) (2). Such fears also discourage the uptake of prevention and testing services. For example, fear of the HIV-related stigma and discrimination that may result from an HIV-positive test result and having that result disclosed to others, either through self-disclosure or otherwise, has been identified as a disincentive to HIV testing in a range of settings (3, 4).

In 2015, the global community committed to ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is an ambitious yet achievable goal. Scale-up of the most effective services for preventing HIV infection and treating people living with HIV has already seen a 32% global decline in AIDS-related deaths and a 16% global decline in new HIV infections between 2010 and 2016; and 2016 also marked the first time more than half (53% [39–65%]) of all people living with HIV were accessing antiretroviral therapy (5). Yet these gains are not distributed equally, and groups that face discrimination are often left behind—in many cases in fear of or facing discrimination, which drives them further away from accessing the services they need. Putting the world on track to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 requires a persistent global effort to eliminate HIV-related stigma and discrimination alongside wider efforts to address marginalization and exclusion in health care.

This report compiles the latest body of evidence on how stigma and discrimination create barriers across the HIV prevention, testing and treatment cascades and reduce the impact of the AIDS response. The report also brings together best practices on confronting stigma and discrimination, providing a valuable resource for programme managers, policy-makers, health-care providers and communities. The evidence shows that the establishment of people-centred service delivery models, supportive legal and policy frameworks, monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and sensitization training for health-care workers and other duty bearers can promote inclusion and increase access to services.