Dushanbe. 22 August. “Asia-Plus” – The UN’s World Food Program in Tajikistan has held a reviewed the classification of food security in Tajikistan for the month of June using the IPC (Integrated Phase Classification of food security).
According to the review, food security situation has been analysed in 11 populated areas for May 2013 and a forecast for June – October, 2013 was prepared.
Food security situation for 3 percent of the population of Tajikistan (approximately 15 thousand 200 people) in rural areas is in phase 3 (crisis). Situation of 39 percent of the population in rural areas (approximately 228 thousand 500 people) is in phase 2 (stress), while the rest of the 58 percent (3 million 371 thousand people) is in phase 1 (minimal).
The review states: “Food security situation as a whole has improved compared with the previous period (October-December, 2012). Districts with high insecure food levels in phase 3 (crisis) have moved to the moderately unsafe food level in phase 2 (stress).”
IPC experts name increase in remittance, good spring rainfall and job opportunities as the main factors for this improvement.
They add: “Seasonal availability of pastures has also led to improved productivity and other quantitative livestock indicators – a good example of livestock organization. Many alternative food and income sources are becoming available on a seasonal basis, which includes labor leading to good perspectives for grain harvest.”
Despite this improvement is should be noted that Tajikistan remains a highly vulnerable country, 70-80 percent of which depends on product imports, including food. According to international standards, a country’s food security is broken if import is above 20 percent.
