Key messages:
As a result of the recent crisis in CAR, WFP Level 2 Emergency Response has been activated for CAR operations as of 14 May.
In May 2013, WFP plans to distribute 984 mt of food to approximately 60,000 beneficiaries for the lean season distributions, assistance to refugees and IDPs and seed protection rations. Targeted locations are Bambari, Kabo-Batangafo, Batalimo, Zemio and Sibut.
WFP is preparing IR-EMOP 200565 which will 1) complement the response provided through the existing PRRO and 2) scale-up WFP’s life-saving assistance to the affected population of the March 2013 crisis, whose access to food deteriorated sharply and were not yet covered by the on-going PRRO 200315. The operation plans to support 64,000 people, including some 62,000 people from CAR and 2,250 refugees from Darfur who will be provided with targeted food distributions for three months (1 June to 31 August 2013). The budget requirements will amount to approximately USD 1.5 million.
WFP is preparing a Special Operation in order to increase its logistics capacity. 20 trucks and spare parts have been estimated as current needs.
Final preparations for an EFSA are currently ongoing. Security permitting,
WFP/FAO/UNICEF and NGO will carry out the Emergency Food Security Assessment (EFSA) as of end of May 2013 to re-assess the targeting and beneficiary numbers for humanitarian interventions. A Budget Revision of the PRRO 200315 is expected following the results of this EFSA.
Malnutrition remains a major concern in CAR. The Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions (SMART, 2012) shows a national Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate among children 0-59 months of 7.8 percent. The prevalence of chronic malnutrition at the national level is 39.9 percent, considered “critical” with regional prevalence as high as 54 percent, according to the recent SMART.
While WFP was able to resume distributions at the end of April, the security situation in CAR remains of concern and access to those in needs difficult.WFP continues to actively coordinate with all involved stakeholders (UN agencies, NGO partners and government counterparts) to ensure security of staff, partners and beneficiaries.