ReliefWeb

HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES

• On 24 March, the Seleka coalition took full control of Bangui, and a transitional government was established. The security situation remains unpredictable. At this stage, only limited information on the populations’ needs and displacement within CAR following the latest events is available. Plans for a WFP-led emergency food security assessment are being made.

• Over the past two weeks, WFP staff present in Bangui have been in close contact with partner agencies and NGOs to assess the situation and resume activities as soon as possible. Following temporary suspension of activities, first distributions are resuming on 8 April. 8 non-critical staff had been relocated to Yaounde, Cameroon, and 7 critical staff remain in Bangui. Staff in Bangui are hosted at the BINUCA Compound with partner UN and NGO staff.
  National staff are safe and accounted for.

• Following visits to WFP premises, it was reported that part of the office, the workshop, logistics office and premises of three international staff were looted, and some of the assets stolen, including four vehicles. The warehouses and the food are intact. Security measures for all WFP sites and assets are being strengthened; to this end, discussions with Seleka forces are ongoing.

• On the basis of the rapid food security assessment carried out in February (RFSA), WFP is preparing a Budget Revision to revise the project budget to US$ 42.7 million (increase of US$ 4.7 million). This revision aims at scaling up operations to assist an additional 120,000 people in need of food assistance. Around 400,000 beneficiaries will be assisted in 2013 through PRRO 200315, which will include the populations living in the Seleka-controlled area.