Key facts
The events in the Central African Republic (CAR) over the last two years have left more than 2.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Thanks to funding received in 2014, FAO and partners managed to contain a major food crisis but overall agricultural production is still nearly 60 percent below the pre-crises average. As part of these institutional efforts, the Comité pour le Développement Intégré des Communautés de Base (CODICOM) received US$24 000 from FAO, and over 200 tonnes of grains from the Ministry to boost production and meet the high demand for animal proteins. “Considering the United Nations warning with regard to the food security situation in the country, the Government will make every effort to ensure that projects similar to that of CODICOM and FAO receive the necessary assistance to build the resilience of populations in vulnerable situations,” said Mohamed Yacoub Tahib, Minister for Livestock.
In the 7th arrondissement of Bangui, kits consisting of wheelbarrows, boots and gloves, shovels, rakes, rickshaws and mufflers were handed to some 430 producers —vegetable producers, fish and livestock farmers— identified as part of a three-month FAO pilot project.
Mayor Joseph Tagbalet is proud to be at the forefront of the initiative and explained that “the selection of the 7th arrondissement to take the lead in the implementation of this project makes us proud, but we also know that it is a major challenge because the success of this project will depend on our level of involvement.”
The project, funder and run by FAO and CODICOM, aims to address the disruption of the meat and vegetable supply chain in highly vulnerable areas of Bangui and was launched in June 2014. Part of FAO’s larger resilience programme, which is aimed at implementing response and mitigation strategies towards the adverse effects of the ongoing crisis, the project contributes to the recapitalization of vulnerable peri-urban producers and the reduction of the youth unemployment rate through socio-professional integration.
Project Manager Raymond Mbadjiré, talking about challenges faced, recounted that: “We had to brave fear and uneasiness and go to our compatriots in the so-called high-risk areas because for us, what really counts is to give everybody a chance to produce and have enough to eat, even to those immersed in violence; to help them break the poverty chain and participate in the national reconciliation and cohesion.”
For FAO Representative, Jean-Alexandre Scaglia, “this positive and optimistic view is an example to follow in the Central African Republic, and there is a need to recognize that initiatives like this are important solutions that can bring significant benefits to the country's economy.” He stressed the importance the project places on the socio-economic integration of youth and the importance of regaining “hope for a better life.”
FAO has already assisted 1 100 youths through initiatives to increase the production of poultry, fish and cash crops. Currently, 1 000 youths are supported through other activities including labour intensive work, garden schools, peri-urban agriculture, cash for work and development of agribusiness.
