Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10DUSHANBE23
2010-01-05 06:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:
FOOD SECURITY UPDATE FOR TAJIKISTAN
how-toVZCZCXRO0667 PP RUEHLN RUEHSK RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHDBU #0023 0050653 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 050653Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1103 INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0369 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0227 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0172 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0133 RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 2409
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000023
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ELAB SOCI TI
SUBJECT: FOOD SECURITY UPDATE FOR TAJIKISTAN
REF: A. 09 DUSHANBE 334
B. 09 DUSHANBE 865
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000023
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ELAB SOCI TI
SUBJECT: FOOD SECURITY UPDATE FOR TAJIKISTAN
REF: A. 09 DUSHANBE 334
B. 09 DUSHANBE 865
1. The food security situation in Tajikistan has been slightly
better through the first ten months of 2009 compared to 2008,
according to World Food Program's December update. Surveys
showed that as of October 2009, 22% of households were
moderately food insecure and 9% were severely food insecure.
Weather and trends in remittances had the biggest impacts on
changes in food security. Sughd and Khatlon provinces are the
most food insecure.
2. Improved harvests due to good rainfall and disaster
assistance to areas that experienced spring floods helped keep
the food security situation stable. Both wheat and potato
harvests were better than average. As a result, the price of
wheat fell somewhat, which helped improve household budgets.
Lack of access to water is the most common issue associated with
food insecurity.
3. Despite good harvests, however, food security did not
improve much over last year's levels because the fall in
remittances and increased domestic unemployment reduced incomes
(reftels). The outlook going forward matches this pattern, with
households that have access to land and owning livestock
relatively well prepared for winter, while households dependant
on remittances are more poorly prepared than in the past.
Overall, however, 90% of households had some winter stocks as
opposed to 80% at the same time in 2008, and fewer households
reported reducing food consumption.
4. Households that faced negative events that reduced food
security are showing a more difficult time recovering this year
than last year, mostly as a result of reduced remittances. The
survey showed that while the number of returned migrants was
unusually high last winter, virtually all again went to Russia
in the spring and there is nothing in the data to show a
reduction in the level of migration to Russia. Resumed activity
in the Russian construction sector could alleviate some of the
stress on remittance-dependent households come spring.
5. To address the underlying causes of food security the report
recommends increasing the availability of and access to food,
improving access to water and water quality, reducing disaster
risk, creating employment opportunities, and empowering women.
GROSS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ELAB SOCI TI
SUBJECT: FOOD SECURITY UPDATE FOR TAJIKISTAN
REF: A. 09 DUSHANBE 334
B. 09 DUSHANBE 865
1. The food security situation in Tajikistan has been slightly
better through the first ten months of 2009 compared to 2008,
according to World Food Program's December update. Surveys
showed that as of October 2009, 22% of households were
moderately food insecure and 9% were severely food insecure.
Weather and trends in remittances had the biggest impacts on
changes in food security. Sughd and Khatlon provinces are the
most food insecure.
2. Improved harvests due to good rainfall and disaster
assistance to areas that experienced spring floods helped keep
the food security situation stable. Both wheat and potato
harvests were better than average. As a result, the price of
wheat fell somewhat, which helped improve household budgets.
Lack of access to water is the most common issue associated with
food insecurity.
3. Despite good harvests, however, food security did not
improve much over last year's levels because the fall in
remittances and increased domestic unemployment reduced incomes
(reftels). The outlook going forward matches this pattern, with
households that have access to land and owning livestock
relatively well prepared for winter, while households dependant
on remittances are more poorly prepared than in the past.
Overall, however, 90% of households had some winter stocks as
opposed to 80% at the same time in 2008, and fewer households
reported reducing food consumption.
4. Households that faced negative events that reduced food
security are showing a more difficult time recovering this year
than last year, mostly as a result of reduced remittances. The
survey showed that while the number of returned migrants was
unusually high last winter, virtually all again went to Russia
in the spring and there is nothing in the data to show a
reduction in the level of migration to Russia. Resumed activity
in the Russian construction sector could alleviate some of the
stress on remittance-dependent households come spring.
5. To address the underlying causes of food security the report
recommends increasing the availability of and access to food,
improving access to water and water quality, reducing disaster
risk, creating employment opportunities, and empowering women.
GROSS