The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have warned that nearly half of the population (47%) of the Central African Republic (CAR) suffers from high and surging acute food insecurity as the country reels from the impacts of ongoing conflict and COVID-19, and braces for another harsh May-August lean season.
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis released today, most of these people live in the rural areas. Per the IPC, over 2.2 million people face severe levels of acute food insecurity between April and August. The UN, therefore calls for “urgent support to avert the loss of lives and livelihoods”.
Also, the analysis show that one third of the population, over 1.6 million people, are in a Crisis situation. This means that these people may skip meals entirely or sell what little they own to buy food. Furthermore, more than one tenth, over 630 000 people, are in an Emergency situation. For such people, they may sell their last animal or last source of livelihood, pull their children out of school, or resort to begging.
“The people of the Central African Republic have been bearing the brunt of conflict for a decade; food insecurity has been on the rise for the past years. Yet, never before has the food insecurity outlook been so dire. COVID-19 is keeping borders and markets closed or restricted, hampering the flow of food and driving its price up. Soon, the lean season will set in and rains will make the country’s dirt roads unusable. Delivering food, seeds for planting, and other essential supplies is only going to get tougher. It’s critical that we act fast” .
Perpetua Katepa-Kalala, FAO Representative in the Central African Republic
Meanwhile, in the CAR, the lean season (May-August) coincides with the main crop and vegetable growing season. Sadly, this is the season when food is typically scarce before the harvest comes in.
“We need to break the vicious cycle of conflict and hunger in the Central African Republic. Never before have we seen so many people pushed right to the edge of survival. More than half a million people are one step away from famine. We urgently need to act now to save lives before it’s too late” .
Aline Rumonge, WFP Deputy Country Director in the country
A forgotten crisis that can no longer be ignored
Also, the UN indicated that acute food insecurity has risen due to the impacts of renewed violence last December. This occurred on the fringes of the presidential and legislative elections, sparking active fighting that spread across the country. As a result, it cuts off main transport corridors effectively blockading the capital Bangui. It also cut off vital supply routes in the landlocked country, driving thousands from their homes.
Moreover, the UN stated that this latest uptick in violence comes after an almost decade-long conflict. This conflict has disrupted lives and livelihoods, uprooting over 740 000 people. Last year also saw a low output in terms of local food production.
Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation. It has kept food prices high. For instance, the price of cassava rose by up to 60% between November 2020 and January 2021. People’s movements and trade were also limited. At the same time, families were pushed to the brink as they struggled to keep their jobs and incomes.
FAO’s and WFP’s response in 2021
Meanwhile, FAO needs USD 31.5 million to assist 970 000 vulnerable people in 2021 with life-saving support. FAO will distribute seeds and tools to help farmers make the most of the coming agricultural season. It will roll out a cash assistance programme and provide training in drought-resilient farming strategies and post-harvest loss reduction. FAO will also carry out vaccination campaigns to keep poultry, goats and sheep alive and support livestock production.
Also, WFP needs USD 54.9 million through September 2021 to continue providing life-saving food and nutrition assistance to almost a million crisis-affected people in the country. CAR CAR CAR
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