Households face early depletion of stocks, low income, and high food prices during the current dry season

Since January 2022, insecurity has continued to be precarious, unpredictable, and has become very volatile in the northern, northeastern and central areas of the country (especially in the prefectures of Haute-Koto, Mambere-Kadéï, Ouham-Péndé, Lim-Péndé, and Ouham-Fafa). Periodically, clashes paralyze the functioning of markets and livelihood activities for the poor and very poor populations living in these areas.

The supply of staple foods in markets is minimal in areas under armed occupation and with limited access. The gradual reduction in reserves built up during the harvest period, exacerbated by a situation of persistent insecurity in the country, explains the current reduction in supply, or even shortages in certain markets, in particular those of Paoua, Ndélé, Bocaranga, and Ouham-Pendé. Households are experiencing limited food accessibility while demand for imported and local products remains high compared to normal.

Staple food prices remain higher than the same period last year, reflecting around a 5 to 10 percent rise depending on product and location. The market is still the main source of food for households, while supplemented by the frequent consumption of food products from gathering, hunting and fishing. Persistent insecurity, high transport costs, poor road conditions, and road disruptions along the main Bangui-Douala supply corridor have not only affected prices, but have even resulted in strikes by transporters and traders (February 2022).

During the current dry season, poor and very poor households’ income sources are limited to self-employment activities, small businesses, domestic day labor, and agricultural activities for the 2022/2023 agricultural season. Humanitarian aid (food, cash, nutritional kits/inputs, and consumption tickets) also represents a significant portion of food rations and contributions to expenses for poor and very poor households.

In areas less affected by conflict, most households are currently experiencing Minimal (IPC Phase 1) or Stressed (IPC Phase 2) food insecurity until the harvest in September 2022. However, IDPs and poor host households will experience Crisis (IPC Phase 3) food insecurity until September 2022. Poor and very poor households in conflict areas in the southeast prefectures and those displaced in the northwest, northeast, and central prefectures will be most affected.