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Bangui, 25 August 2023. The humanitarian country team in the Central African Republic urged the international community to strengthen its support to vulnerable communities, at a time when the conflict in Sudan is worsening the food crisis in the country.
The call was made during a visit to the Eastern region of Bria, with Mrs. Reena Ghelani, the United Nations Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator, on official visit to the country. Her mission’s objective was to support efforts undertaken to prevent acute food insecurity in Central African Republic.
Currently, more than 2 million people experience acute food insecurity in CAR, and the prevalence of chronic malnutrition in children under five, at about 40%, is about one of the highest in the world.
Despite massive needs, the humanitarian response is only 35% funded, against 65% at the same time of the year in 2022.
“Because of the protracted crisis, the humanitarian response remains essential and lifesaving, said Reena Ghelani. But we should also look for innovative solutions to build resilience and better integrate humanitarian, development and peace actors as well as international financial institutions.” Thanks to joint efforts by the Government and humanitarian partners, and the generous support of donors, food insecurity levels have gone slightly down in the past few months, and the impact of the global food crisis on the population has been contained.
However, the combined effects of the increase in food and fuel prices, a new refugees influx and the border closure with Sudan could lead to a significant spike in humanitarian needs. “CAR remains a fragile country, underlined the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Ag Ayoya. This is not the time to forget CAR. The humanitarian country team is committed to keep working with the Government and partners to respond to urgent needs, while strengthening households and communities’ resilience.”
During their mission to Bria, the team was able to exchange with local authorities and communities in Bornou health centre, managed by the Government in partnership with the World Food Programme, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization as well as the NGO International Medical Corps. The country team also visited an informal displacement setlement where women’s groups insisted on the need to implement durable solutions to improve people’s living conditions.
During her mission in CAR, Reena Ghelani met with the Prime Minister M. Felix Moloua, sectoral ministers, the head of MINUSCA. She also exchanged with representatives from national and international non-governmental organizations and donors. She commited to support advocacy efforts to mobilize resources for humanitarian needs in CAR and defend a holistic approach to improve the lives and resilience of communities.
Media contact : Priscilla Lecomte, lecomte@un.org