Country: Central African Republic
Source: Famine Early Warning System Network
Please refer to the attached file.
Key Messages
- The persistence of conflicts will continue to worsen food access in many regions of the country. The prefectures of the northeast, southeast, and northwest (Vakaga, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Ouham, Ouham-Pendé, Lim-Pendé, and Nana-Mambéré) are expected to experience Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes through September. Early depletion of stocks will reinforce dependence on purchases in the face of limited income and dysfunctional markets, while population displacements, movement restrictions, and impeded access to fields, markets, and trade routes in these areas will further erode household livelihoods. Populations most affected by displacement — poor host households and internally displaced persons (IDPs) — will face food consumption deficits.
- Starting in April, the lean season in the regions in the south and the rainy season will increase isolation and limit trade flows, which will cause an increase in prices above seasonal averages, resulting in more widespread Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes in the country. The arrival of the first harvests in July in the south will allow an improvement toward Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes in the majority of these areas, except in isolated areas and those more affected by conflict.
- FEWS NET estimates that between 750,000 and 999,999 people will need humanitarian food assistance during the peak of the lean season, between May and July 2026. Despite the expected seasonal improvement starting in July with the arrival of the first harvests in the south, many poor households in conflict-affected areas will continue to face food deficits. These households are expected to remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) even beyond the peak of the lean season.
The analysis in this report is based on information available as of February 20, 2026.