Food prices remain high despite the harvest

The security situation remains precarious, particularly in the western, northwest, northeast, and central areas. Recorded incidents of theft and robberies increased in August compared to the previous month and reached the levels observed in September 2021. These incidents in cities include thefts and robberies along the roads connecting different regions. Additionally, the movement of people and goods are restricted because of explosive devices. This insecurity is disrupting humanitarian assistance activities, agricultural activities, market supplies, and disrupting livelihood activities.The security situation remains precarious, particularly in the western, northwest, northeast, and central areas. Recorded incidents of theft and robberies increased in August compared to the previous month and reached the levels observed in September 2021. These incidents in cities include thefts and robberies along the roads connecting different regions. Additionally, the movement of people and goods are restricted because of explosive devices. This insecurity is disrupting humanitarian assistance activities, agricultural activities, market supplies, and disrupting livelihood activities.

The current floods, which began in July in the southwest (Bangui, Ombelle M'Poko) and northwest (Ouaham, Ouham-Pendé), are spreading to the northern regions (Vakaga). According to OCHA, the increased flooding is causing a slight increase in the number of IDPs and an increase in the number of people affected, which rose from 22,450 in July to nearly 72,000 at the beginning of September. This situation, combined with the disruption of population movements and humanitarian assistance due to insecurity, poor road conditions, and high food prices, is contributing to Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes. These food insecurity outcomes are among poor households, particularly in urban centers and areas with a strong presence of IDPs, as well as those with limited access in the prefectures of Haute-Mbomou, Haute-Kotto, Vakaga, Ouham, and Ouaka.

As new groundnut and maize harvests are expected to support a seasonal drop in food prices, poor urban households, IDPs in camps, and flood-affected households still face food shortages. Furthermore, a fuel shortage and an increase of about 18 percent in fuel prices have resulted in a slowdown in trade between urban centers and production areas. Additional factors contributing to this slowdown include an increase in import prices, disruption of trade flows caused by insecurity, and seasonal deterioration of the road network. In August, prices were average and generally stable for cassava, but the prices of imported maize and rice recorded increases of about 30 percent each, negatively affecting household food access and dietary diversity.