Food Aid in the Central African Republic - WFP 2008

Since 2003 the Central African Republic has been characterized by recurrent insecurity which has continued to worsen in 2007 and into 2008 with continuous clashes between rebels and troops. The humanitarian needs in the country have drastically increased affecting over 1 million people in the northern regions of the country. Ongoing insecurity has interrupted the agricultural cycle resulting in a dramatic decrease in agricultural production and an erosion of people's coping capacity. CIDA’s contribution is used to help the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide food aid to vulnerable populations including those that have been internally displaced by the conflict. Through the distribution of food aid the project aims to: protect the livelihoods of food-insecure target groups in post-conflict zones; improve the nutritional status and health of vulnerable populations with a special focus on people living with HIV/AIDS; contribute to community self-sufficiency; and improve women’s access to training and education. The operation is expected to reach an estimated 324 400 beneficiaries.