Approximately 2.4 million people are acutely food insecure in the period of April to August 2023 (lean season. 622,000 people (10 percent of the 6.1 million population analysed) in 13 sub-prefectures, mainly in the Haut Mbomou, Haute Kotto and Ouham prefectures are in Emergency (IPC Phase 4). In the remaining 62 sub-prefectures, about 1.8 million people (29 percent of the population analysed) are in IPC Phase 3 and 2.2 million people are under stress (IPC Phase 2) – the majority of whom are at risk of facing more severe levels of acute food insecurity if necessary actions are not taken to secure livelihoods.

In the projected period of September 2023 to April 2024 (post-harvest season), approximately 2 million people will face high levels of food insecurity (IPC Phases 3 and 4). This includes approximately 378,000 people (6 percent of the population analysed) in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and nearly 2 million in Crisis (IPC Phase 3).The populations of the sub-prefectures of Zemio, Obo, Bambouti, Djema, and Birao will be particularly affected and will be classified as Emergency (IPC Phase 4), while the other 68 sub-prefectures will all be classified as Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and the two others - Boganangone and Boganda will be classified as Stress (IPC Phase 2).

Key factors influencing household food insecurity include rising staple and imported food prices, conflict, and population displacement. These factors greatly impact access to agricultural inputs and markets. Other factors such as floods have led to poor road conditions in remote areas and a decrease in agricultural production in the country.

Humanitarian assistance and protection programmes: Action needs to be taken to reduce food gaps and protect livelihoods with an emphasis on the most vulnerable communities including women and children, particularly in Crisis and Emergency (IPC Phase 3 and 4).

Livelihood support: Support and restore livelihood support through access to markets, agricultural inputs, and assistance through government projects and coordination.

Climate-resilience systems and policy: Support the implementation of national agricultural policy and establish a mechanism to monitor climatic factors and pest damage in the region to increase agricultural production and livelihoods.

Access to water sanitation and hygiene: Facilitate access to clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in the most vulnerable communities and remote areas.

End violence and conflict: Efforts are needed to restore security and prevent conflict resurgence in the country.