Central African Republic is facing a growing food crisis, and the United Nations has issued an urgent request for funds.
2.2 million of the 5.5 million people living in the war-torn country are already food insecure, and that number is expected to rise in the coming months, according to the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP).
In Geneva, WFP spokesman Tomson Phiri said, “The Central African Republic is experiencing exceptional humanitarian needs and a deteriorating food security scenario.”
“The protracted internal armed conflict, ongoing instability, and population relocation all contribute to food insecurity in the Central African Republic.”
He predicted that commodities prices will rise rapidly starting in August, with rice seeing a 30% increase, wheat flour seeing a 67% increase, and vegetable oil seeing a 70% increase.
When it comes to pre-positioning food supplies ahead of the upcoming rainy season, the World Food Program (WFP) has experienced difficulty.
He said that it was taking longer to get food and fuel into the CAR.
He claimed the World Food Program (WFP) needed $68.4 million immediately.
“Food and nutrition insecurity will only worsen for millions of people without rapid funding,” he said.
“To feed those who are more hungry,” said Phiri, WFP may have to redistribute food from others who are already starving.
“Based on present food insecurity and operational constraints, we expect humanitarian needs to worsen.”
They inform us that humanitarian help will be needed well into 2023, if not later, according to their reports.
The CAR has one of the highest rates of severe food insecurity in the world, along with Afghanistan, Yemen, and South Sudan.
Despite being one of the world’s poorest countries, the Central African Republic (CAR) has been wracked by civil wars for the past nine years.
President Francois Bozize was overthrown in 2013 by a Muslim-dominated uprising, prompting retaliation from largely Christian and animist militias.
