Conflict continues to significantly impact food security and livelihoods

Armed and intercommunal conflict continues to drive new displacement and impede humanitarian assistance, particularly in Haute-Kotto, Ouaka, Nana-Gribizi, and Mambéré-Kadeï prefectures. Approximately 10,000 people were displaced from June to mid-July in Mambéré-Kadeï alone, and according to the Commission on Population Movement the total number of displaced persons is currently 608,028. However, recent security improvements in Ouham-Pendé and Mbomou has facilitated the return of the displaced and some socio-economic activities.

In areas where armed groups are active, limited access to fields, livestock theft, and illicit taxes prevent households from maintaining their livelihoods. The price of staple food commodities has increased compared to the same period last year in most markets – in some cases by more than 30 percent – because of merchant theft and extorsion as well as heavy precipitation, which has increased transportation costs and limited supply. In Sikikadé market (Vakaga prefecture), the price of cassava and rice has doubled relative to other markets.

The first harvests of maize and groundnuts are underway and are expected to slightly improve household food security. However, the majority of poor households in insecure areas – particularly in areas inaccessible to humanitarian aid – depend on one meal per day, composed of cassava or wild foods (e.g., wild yams and leafy vegetables). Consequently, the most affected households are still unable to meet their basic food needs or protect their livelihoods and are likely to remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3).