The Central African Republic has the second-to-lowest level of human development in the world. Rebel groups control parts of the country, which continues to experience sporadic surges of violence against the backdrop of a disintegrating state.

Conflict began in 2012, when the rebel Seleka coalition overran much of the country, killing thousands. Violence between Christians and minority Muslims was widespread, and around 600,000 people were forced to move to other parts of the country to escape conflict. Half a million fled the country altogether. Today, political and religious tension is still high, and the country is struggling to rebuild itself.

Ordinary people fight for survival in a fragile economy in which basic services are scarce. Severe humanitarian and economic hardship continues, with crop production estimated to be around 54 percent lower than pre-crisis levels. This means that around 2.5 million people are facing food insecurity - an unprecedented level.

The World Food Programme is helping people affected by the conflict, working to enhance food security among displaced and vulnerable communities. WFP aims to improve food consumption, reduce undernutrition and restore access to basic services.

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4.9 million
population
600,000
people have been internally displaced by conflict
2.5 million
people are food insecure

What the World Food Programme is doing in Central African Republic

  • Food asssistance

    WFP distributes food to the internally displaced, host communities and affected local populations, as well as providing food in exchange for building or repairing community assets to strengthen longer-term recovery. WFP also connects smallholder farmers with markets for their produce. WFP food, cash and voucher assistance reaches nearly 305,000 people.

  • Nutrition

    WFP provides treatment for babies, children, pregnant women and nursing mothers suffering from moderate acute malnutrition. WFP also provides extra food supplies for families with children aged from six months to two years, and nutritious school meals for more than 191,100 school children
    across 460 primary schools.

  • UN Humanitarian Air Service

    WFP manages the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) on behalf of the humanitarian community, providing transport to 28 destinations that would otherwise be inaccessible due to insecurity, poor infrastructure or flooding. On average, UNHAS transports around 2,800 passengers and 27.5 metric tons of cargo each month.

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In focus

Partners and donors

Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in Central African Republic is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:

Find out more about the state of food security in Central African Republic

Visit the food security analysis page

Operations in Central African Republic

View all operations

Contacts

Bangui

Bangui Rue de l'amp #39 Universite, Bangui, Republique CentrAfricaine, BP 1048 Bangui, Republique CentrAfricaine

Email

WFP.Bangui@wfp.org

Phone: +236 21 614926

Fax: +236 21 611905

For media inquiries

WFP.Bangui@wfp.org