Crisis! (IPC Phase 3!) outcomes persist in eastern and southeastern prefectures

The first harvests of the 2019 production season have begun to improve food availability and access in south-central and southwestern areas of the country. However, household access to food remains highly constrained in eastern and southeastern CAR, particularly in the prefectures of Mbomou, Haut-Mbomou, and Haute-Kotto. Heavy rainfall since June has damaged road infrastructure and this, combined with ongoing conflict and insecurity, has reduced trade flows. Rain has also seasonally limited local cassava processing activities. As a result, markets are poorly supplied. In addition, the cost of illicit taxes imposed on traders is passed on to the consumer, which has increased staple food prices in urban and remote rural areas. In June, a bowl of cassava cost 2000-2500 XAF (USD 3.39-4.24) in Paoua and Bambari and reached 6000 XAF (USD 10.17) in Bangui and 13000 XAF (USD 22.04) in Obo.

According to data collected by IOM/DTM, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has declined by 20 percent since December 2018, while the number of IDPs and refugees that have returned to their places of origin increased by 21 percent and 10 percent, respectively. These households returned in time to plant for the 2019 production season, and fields are more accessible compared to previous areas due to the relative improvement in security in central and western areas. However, access to seeds and financing constitutes a significant constraint for household crop production. It is expected that 2019 agricultural production will be higher than the recent five-year average but will remain below the pre-crisis average.

The availability of the green harvest is supporting Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes in south-central and southwestern CAR. In the north, where the lean season is still ongoing, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes persist. Meanwhile, IDPs located in settlement sites are most likely Stressed! (IPC Phase 2!) in the presence of humanitarian food assistance. In Mbomou, Haut-Mbomou, and Haute-Kotto, where food prices are atypically high, the activities of armed groups has restricted local and IDP populations’ engagement in livelihoods activities and can inhibit the delivery of humanitarian food assistance. According to the Food Security Cluster, 27 and 49 percent of the population in Haut Mbomou and Haute Kotto, respectively, received a 20-day ration in June. Distribution data for Mbomou is not available. It is expected that populations in these three prefectures are still experiencing food deficits in the presence of assistance and Crisis! (IPC Phase 3!) outcomes are likely through September.