The latest Acute Malnutrition analysis conducted in the country covered 69 sub-prefectures and the city of Bangui. It is estimated that nearly 177,000 children aged 6 to 59 months and over 162,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women will suffer from acute malnutrition between September 2023 and August 2024. This represents a 41 percent decrease in children and a 15 percent increase in women compared to estimates from the previous year during the same period. Among children under 5, over 45,000 will suffer from severe acute malnutrition in the analysed areas, about 46 percent less than the predictions of the previous year (2022).

For the current period (September 2023 - February 2024), out of the 69 analysed sub-prefectures and the city of Bangui, only the sub-prefecture of Koui and the Birao refugee camp are classified as Critical (IPC AMN Phase 4), and 11 sub-prefectures are in Serious condition (IPC AMN Phase 3). These include the sub-prefectures of Kaga Bandoro, Birao, Ouada Djalé, Yalinga, Zangba, Alindao, Mingala, Berberati, Bambari, Ippy, and Bakala. Additionally, 52 sub-prefectures are in Alert (IPC AMN Phase 2).

During the projected period (March to August 2024), the nutritional situation will significantly deteriorate, with 5 sub-prefectures shifting from Serious (IPC Phase 3) to Critical (IPC Phase 4), and one sub-prefecture remaining in Critical along with the Birao refugee camp. In total, 43 sub-prefectures will shift from Alert to Serious, adding to the 6 sub-prefectures that will remain in Serious situation. 

The major contributing factors to the deterioration of the nutritional situation include high levels of diseases such as diarrhea, malaria, and acute respiratory infections, with upward trends of around +50 percent in most districts in IPC AMN Phase 2 and above. Additionally, there is low access to clean water and improved sanitation facilities, and recurrent acute food insecurity (Phase 3+ of the IPC AFI) in the majority of sub-prefectures. Furthermore, the unstable security situation related to the presence of armed groups continues to negatively impact the nutritional situation in most analysed areas.

• Strengthen the coverage and quality of integrated care for acute malnutrition to urgently reduce the number of children and pregnant and breastfeeding women suffering from acute malnutrition.
• Enhance the multisectoral response related to the provision of quality basic social services (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), nutrition, health, social protection, etc.) to protect vulnerable populations and meet their fundamental needs.
• Support and expand the coverage of optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, including food diversification and promotion of the consumption of locally available nutrient-rich foods.
• Support the prevention and management of diseases such as malaria, Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI), diarrhea, and measles.
• Enhance the coverage and quality of services at health centers and nutritional recovery centers.
• Implement protection mechanisms for displaced populations (cash transfers) to enhance resilience.
• Advocate to minimize the impact of the Russo-Ukrainian crisis on nutrition financing.