Attachments
Highlights
- In April, WFP launched its first cash assistance programmes in Cameroon, using electronic mobile transfers. Activities will initially target 23,000 C.A.R. refugees in the Gado camp, East region. The activities will be expanded when required structures are put in place.
- Thanks to a Canadian contribution, around 80,000 Chadian returnees received cash-based assistance in April, after USD 44 million urgently required to meet two months during which assistance was on hold.
- In DRC, WFP has launched Random Assessment Monitoring and Post Distribution Monitoring amongst moderate malnourished refugees in various C.A.R. refugee camps.
Situation update
-
Since 26 April, in C.A.R. the new Government of President Touadera, sworn in on 30 March, has been initiating consultations with a view to help restore stability by disarming, demobilising and reintegrating thousands of members of armed groups who fought in the more than two year-long sectarian war. While some sections of the ex-Seleka movement have denounced the new Government, other rebel factions have been regrouping in parts of the country (Bria, Paoua, Kaga Bandoro, Bambari) for peace talks. At the end of March the town of Bambari experienced some violence fueled by resumed clashes between factions. So far, the tensions have been contained by MINUSCA forces. Repeated security incidents, some involving (directly or indirectly) humanitarian workers, might have an impact on access in certain areas. France announced that the Sangaris operation would close down by the end of the year 2016 and that its mandate would be taken by the European training mission. In Cameroon, the security situation along the C.A.R. border strip remains of concern due to the presence of criminal groups; north of the Adamaoua region and the eastern part of the northern regions are also areas on high security watch. WFP has deployed a Security Officer to the sub-office in Bertoua to strengthen security arrangements while ensuring staff safety. In Chad, Presidential elections were held on 10 April. The situation in the country remained relatively stable during the electoral campaign, the vote and at the time of the diffusion of the preliminary results confirming the current President in his position, although the opposition denounced several irregularities throughout the country and reported limited instances of electoral violence.
-
The C.A.R. FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment (CFSA) was finalized and published in early March. Results showed that the country’s overall crop production in 2015, estimated at some 830,000 mt, remained 54 percent below the pre- crisis average, despite a 10 percent increase from 2014 mostly due to a rise in cassava production. Widespread insecurity continued to have a negative impact on livestock rearing activities. Cattle and small ruminants numbers are currently estimated to have declined by 46 and 57 percent from the pre- crisis levels, respectively. Reduced food availability and access constraints have led to a deterioration of the food security situation: 67 percent of the surveyed groups have indicated that the food security situation has deteriorated compared to 2014.