In March 2018, seven concentrations in CAR were classified in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and ten prefectures and two concentrations were classified in Crisis (IPC Phase 3). During the lean season, from April to August 2018, in the absence of food assistance, it is estimated that there will be five prefectures and eight concentrations in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and eight prefectures and one concentration Crisis (IPC Phase 3). Only the Bangui area would maintain IPC Phase 2 (Stress). Even with current food assistance, the population in need of immediate assistance in March 2018 was around 1.6 million and during the lean period (April - August 2018) would be around 2 million, of which a third located in sub-prefectures with a high concentration of displaced persons.

The most vulnerable populations are found in concentrations of populations in the main cities of the prefectures affected by the conflict (Alindao, Obo, Bria, Rafai / Bangassou, Kaga-Bandoro, Bambari, Batangafo and Paoua). These concentrations represent large proportions of displaced populations, with one-third in host sites and two-thirds in host families. In February 2018, the number of internally displaced persons in the country was around 700,000 out of a total population of 4.5 million, which represents an increase of 47% compared to the situation analyzed at the beginning of 2017 (IPC figures from December 2016). The largest groups of displaced persons are located in the sub-prefecture of Paoua in Ouham Pende (65,000 displaced persons), in Bambari in Ouaka prefecture (91,451 displaced persons), and in Bria in the Haute Kotto prefecture (63,415 displaced persons), who represent respectively between 50% and 70% of the population of these areas.

Insecurity persists across the country and remains the leading cause affecting household access to food and their livelihoods, especially for displaced persons, host families and returnees. Insecurity makes it difficult to fully exploit means of production because of the security risks associated with the movements necessary to conduct agricultural and livestock activities. This generates a drop in production levels which - together with the deterioration of the main supply routes - affects the functioning of markets which in turn severely impact the availability and access of households to food.