Green harvests in the north slightly improve food supply and access

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Since mid-September, poor households in the northeast (which mainly covers the Bamingui-Bangoran prefecture), central and western Vakaga, and northwestern Haute-Kotto have had access to early harvests of green maize, groundnuts, millet, and rice. Household access to food is improving, gradually reducing market dependence for food. In the south, maize and groundnut harvests are nearing completion. However, persistent insecurity marked by repeated assaults by armed groups has reduced production capacity and income sources such as hunting, fishing, and gathering. Most poor households are experiencing Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes as they face very high food and fuel prices. Many refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes, with a small proportion in Emergency (IPC Phase 4).
The overall frequency of attacks by armed groups has decreased since 2022; however, sporadic localized attacks sustain a climate of insecurity among populations in the affected areas. These attacks, which generally target the bases of the Central African armed forces and their allies, continue to provoke fear among the civilian population, preventing them from pursuing their typical income-generating activities. In the least-secure areas, households only have access to fields and harvesting opportunities within a 5 kilometer security radius.
Fuel shortages have been ongoing since July due to insufficient supply flows from Douala, Cameroon. As a result, the price of fuel on the informal market has apparently risen to 3,000 FCFA per liter, while the price on the official market is 885 FCFA. The increase in fuel prices and transport costs is likely to further increase already high prices of essential food and non-food products, further constraining the already limited purchasing capacity of households. In addition, the ongoing fuel crisis is likely to affect the operations of United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), with damaging consequences for the UN organization's peace-keeping activities in the country. Indeed, MINUSCA is reportedly considering restricting its movements due to fuel shortages as early as September.
The influx of refugees from Sudan fleeing armed conflict and the poor state of the roads during the winter are increasing the cost of living and key factors in driving acute food insecurity in the Central African Republic. According to OCHA, the number of Sudanese refugees arriving at Korsi in the Birao sub-prefecture dropped considerably in August with an average of 27 new arrivals per week, down from 98 in July and 124 in June. This decrease can be attributed to the rainy season which makes movement difficult. According to OCHA, over 28,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in the Central African Republic since the start of the crisis in April 2023, with most settling in the Vakaga prefecture, placing considerable pressure on the limited local resources and employment opportunities.

Recommended citation: FEWS NET. Central African Republic Key Message Update September 2024: Green harvests in the north slightly improve food supply and access, 2024.

This Key Message Update provides a high-level analysis of current acute food insecurity conditions and any changes to FEWS NET's latest projection of acute food insecurity outcomes in the specified geography. Learn more here.