Timor-Leste facing high food insecurity, latest report warns

An estimated 360,000 people, around one in four of the population, are grappling with crisis levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above); of which 18,500 people are facing emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4). The situation is predicted to worsen from May to September 2024 during the post-harvest season, traditionally seen as a period of improved food access.

"The 2024 Acute IPC Analysis provides the government with vital findings that will enable us to plan targeted support for communities in urgent need of food assistance, and to improve food security overall", said Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, H.E. Marcos da Cruz.

Food security is expected to deteriorate further with forecasted climate shocks expected to reduce crop yields, with a projected 19,000 people between May and September across six municipalities facing a further decline in their food security. This will also push up the total number of people in emergency (IPC4) food conditions to more than 22,000.

"Addressing Timor-Leste's food insecurity starts with understanding the extent of the problem. This timely research will help us to implement, together with long-standing development partners in-country, a data-driven humanitarian-assistance which incorporates a common vulnerability criterion," said President of INETL, I.P, Elias dos Santos Ferreira.,

"With intensifying climate shocks and the highest inflation rate in a decade, the latest IPC Analysis findings make it clear that urgent action is required now to avert a further deterioration in Timor-Leste's food insecurity. WFP remains committed to supporting the government and other partners in reversing this trend and strengthening nutrition-sensitive social protection systems", said WFP Country Director and Representative for Timor-Leste, Alba Cecilia Garzon Olivares

The IPC Analysis uses a set of internationally recognized tools and procedures to estimate the food insecurity situation in a country. The analysis was conducted from November to December 2023 by a Technical Working Group comprising of 30 government, United Nations, and NGO representatives, facilitated by WFP co-facilitators and an IPC regional coordinator.

To download a copy of the 2023-2024 IPC Acute Food Insecurity report, visit https://bit.ly/3UaSdBU

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

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