Central African Republic - Emergency Food Security - FAO 2016

March 2016 - Following a coup d’état in March 2013 the humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) deteriorated rapidly as inter-communal violence spun out of control and led to thousands of deaths massive human displacement and grave human rights abuses. Despite a transitional government in place and the presence of international troops including a 10 000-person strong United Nations peacekeeping mission (MINUSCA) communities across CAR continue to be plagued by violence armed criminality and widespread humanitarian needs. At present more than 2.3 million people more than half the population require humanitarian assistance over 480 000 people are internally displaced and 450 000 are living in neighbouring countries as refugees. Widespread insecurity and looting of humanitarian actors are hindering their ability to respond to needs relating to widespread food insecurity high levels of child malnutrition and maternal and child mortality rates among the highest in the world. With GAC’s support the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is providing emergency food security support to conflict-affected communities and strengthening food security information mechanisms in CAR. Project activities include: (1) providing small livestock and inputs for household gardens to up to 1 500 vulnerable households; (2) providing related technical training for beneficiary households; (3) supporting a network of food security data collectors throughout the country to submit information on food security trends on a monthly basis; (4) strengthening the capacity of local actors to collect and process food security data; and (5) analyzing data and disseminating timely food security reports to humanitarian development and government partners.

The expected outcome for this project is increased food security for vulnerable populations. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.