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  • Publication | 2021

El Salvador: Acute Food Insecurity Situation July - August 2021 and Projections for September 2021 - February 2022 and March to May 2022

Global Food and Nutrition Security

More than 800,000 people in El Salvador (13% of the analysed population) experienced high levels of acute food insecurity, classified in Crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above) from July to August 2021, due to the combined impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, high food prices, and low household income. From July to August 2021, the departments classified in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) were Ahuachapán and Morazán, while the rest of El Salvador was classified in Stressed (IPC Phase 2).

Although the health crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic continued to derail the financial security of the most vulnerable households, it is estimated that the high coverage of state humanitarian assistance and international cooperation has contributed positively and prevented more people from becoming food insecure. The number of people experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity will likely decrease to around 600,000 (10% of the analysed population) from September 2021 to February 2022 and increase to around 900,000 (14% of the analysed population) between March and May 2022. The worsening situation in the second projection coincides with the onset of the seasonal hunger period characterised by high food prices, low labour opportunities and the likely continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

From September 2021 to February 2022, the departments of Morazán and Cabañas will likely continue to be in Crisis (IPC Phase 3), despite the expected increase in economic activity in different areas, mainly in the sale of agricultural labour, a rise in both salaries and the minimum wage in formal sector jobs, the upward trend in the flow of international remittances and the harvest of basic grains such as maize.

Indeed, the high probability of the La Niña phenomenon (65% probability) may negatively affect the harvest, thus compromising the availability of food reserves, the primary food source for subsistence farming families. However, the increase in remittances and the harvest of basic grains such as maize and beans are expected to improve household incomes and guarantee food reserves.