Cameroon Food Security Outlook Update, June 2026 - January 2027: Conflict and high food prices sustain Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes despite harvest

Country: Cameroon Source: Famine Early Warning System Network Please refer to the attached file. Key Messages Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected through September in Logone-et-Chari, Mayo-Sava, and Mayo-Tsanaga, driven by conflict and flooding . Households in Crisis will rise and peak during the June-August lean season, with some in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) as rising food price, low purchasing power, and eroded coping capacity widen food consumption gaps and drive rising malnutrition levels. From October to January, area-level outcomes are anticipated to improve to Stressed (IPC Phase 2) with the availability of own harvests. However, many displaced households — expected to lack access to harvests — will likely remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse through January 2027. Current Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are projected to ease to Stressed (IPC Phase 2) from July to October in parts of the Northwest and Southwest as harvests temporarily improve food access. From November to January 2027, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) is likely to re-emerge at the area level due to below-average harvests, early stock depletion and high food prices amid conflict. More insecure and remote divisions with severe livelihood disruptions — specifically Ndian, Lebialem, Menchum, Momo, and Bui — are expected to remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) throughout the scenario period. Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes will persist through January 2027 in Mberé (Adamawa), Kadey (East), and Lom et Djerem (East), where Central African Republic (CAR) refugees drive localized food inflation and job competition, restricting food and income access for refugees and poor hosts. Similar outcomes will persist in Yaoundé and Douala , as poor urban displaced households face constrained food access due to reduced livelihoods, limited income, and high food prices. FEWS NET estimated 1.5-1.99 million people to be in need of food assistance in 2026. Needs peaked between May and June, coinciding with the height of the southern lean season and the onset of the northern lean season. While needs in the south are expected to ease with the main harvest, northern requirements will intensify through the June-August lean season amid the escalating Islamist insurgency and flooding risks that threaten food access and humanitarian operations. The analysis in this report is based on information available as of June 22, 2026.

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