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Central African Republic

  • In the period from September 2019 to April 2020, corresponding to the post-harvest period in most of the country's agro-climatic zones, it is estimated that despite planned food assistance, the sub-prefectures of Obo, Zémio, Bria, Ndjoukou, Ippy, Kouango, Batangafo and Kabo are in Emergency (IPC Phase 4), while 47 sub-prefectures are in Crisis (IPC Phase 3).  1.6 million people, representing 35% of the population analysed (4.6 million), are severely acutely food insecure, including 375,000 (nearly 10%) in Emergency situations.
  • During the lean season, between May and August 2020, in the absence of food assistance, it is estimated that 2.1 million people, representing 47% of the population analysed, will be severely acutely food insecure, including more than 675,000 people in Emergency situations. In total, 1.6 million people in the current period and 2.1 million people in the projected period are in urgent need of action to save their lives, protect their livelihoods and reduce their food deficits.
  • Key drivers of this severe acute food insecurity are:
    • Conflicts: The presence of armed groups and inter-community conflicts persist, particularly in border areas.
    • Displacement: The renewed activity of armed groups in much of the country and the precarious insecurity are leading to pendulum movements of populations. 
    • High prices: Seasonal price increases, particularly in the city of Bangui, and low household purchasing power, will reduce their access to food consumption.

Actions Needed

For populations in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and IPC Phase 4 (Emergency), implement the following urgent actions to save lives, protect livelihoods, and reduce food deficits:

  • Ensure immediate food assistance to support populations with little or no access to their livelihoods as well as all those in Phase 3 (Crisis) and Phase 4 (Emergency), especially in areas with a high concentration of displaced people.  
  • Implement measures to prevent the deterioration of food deficits expected in Phases 3 and 4 during the lean season in all sub-prefectures analysed.
  • Implement protective measures in areas with a high concentration of displaced persons to facilitate household access to fields for the 2019-2020 harvesting period, the 2020 planting season, land preparation, as well as fishing, hunting and gathering. This will require a lull in the country's security situation as well as negotiations with the indigenous population of the area where the IDPs live.
  • Continue livelihood support interventions in progressive stabilization areas, support agro-pastoral production and other income-generating activities for the host population, displaced people with access to fields, as well as returnees. Improve the availability of quality seeds to support production, prevent crop diseases and strengthen people's agricultural techniques.
  • Continue prevention and treatment interventions for acute malnutrition as a priority for children under 5 years of age and pregnant or breastfeeding women in sub-prefectures in Phase 3 and 4. 
  • Facilitate people's access to closer water sources through the development of drinking water sources, rehabilitation and construction of boreholes in areas where access is very limited and on sites for displaced people. As for hygiene and sanitation, sensitize households to the construction and use of improved latrines. 
  • Improve infrastructure such as roads to facilitate transactions between areas and therefore access to markets for populations.
  • Promote the processing and conservation of products (vegetable products, non-timber forest products, livestock and fishery products) in order to increase availability during the lean season.

Population in IPC Phases

 

 

IPC Classification Maps

Current September 2019 - April 2020

Projected May - August 2020

IPC

 

Credits

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is an innovative tool for improving food security analysis and decision-making. By providing a set of analytical tools and procedures, IPC allows governments and partners to work together to classify the severity and magnitude of acute and chronic food insecurity, and acute malnutrition according to scientific international standards.

Snapshot

Central African Republic Acute Food Insecurity Snapshot September 2019 - August 2020

Header Photo
UNOCHA CAR

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