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The conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) has driven hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. Amid ongoing insecurity, WFP is distributing food assistance to families in need. Here are nine key facts about the hunger crisis in CAR.
1. Because of the conflict, an estimated 2.6 million people in CAR currently need humanitarian assistance.
2. An assessment in late December found that many families are now eating one meal a day, instead of two or three previously. This adds to the risk of malnutrition.
3. The same assessment found that 60% of households have no food stocks available.
4. Across the country, food prices have increased substantially because fighting has disrupted transport, markets and traders.
5. Almost all communities - 94% - have reported not having enough seed for the next planting season. This raises the risk of a poor harvest in 2014.
6. Even before the outbreak of conflict, 30% of households - some 1.3 million people - lacked consistent access to adequate food.
7. At the moment, insecurity is the greatest obstacle to delivering aid. Humanitarian agencies need to plan assistance by the hour to exploit windows of opportunity.
8. With the rainy season coming in May, it is critical to pre-position food stocks in key locations before road transport becomes impossible.
9. WFP has launched an urgent appeal for US$107 million to assist 1.25 million people in CAR in 2014.
If you would like to support WFP's emergency operations, you can make a donation here. ______________________________Sources: WFP Emergency Food Security Assessment (Oct.2013) and Multi-Cluster Sector Initial Rapid Assessment (Dec.2014)
