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Events in the Central African Republic over the past two years have left more than 2.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Thanks to funding received in 2014, FAO and its partners have managed to contain a major food crisis, but overall agricultural production remains nearly 60 percent below pre-crisis averages. As part of the agencies’ efforts, the Central African Commission for the Integrated Development of Communities (CODICOM) received $24 000 in funding from FAO and more than 200 tonnes of cereals from the Ministry to boost production and meet the high demand for animal protein. “Given the warnings from the United Nations about the food security situation in the country, the government will do everything to ensure that projects similar to those of CODICOM and FAO receive the necessary assistance to boost the resilience of vulnerable groups,” said Minister of Livestock, Mohamed Yacoub Tahib.
In 7day In the Bangui region, tool kits including wheelbarrows, boots and gloves, shovels, rakes, rickshaws and mufflers were distributed to some 430 producers (vegetable producers, fish and livestock farmers) as part of a three-month FAO pilot project.
Mayor Joseph Tagbalet is proud to be at the forefront of this initiative, explaining that “the selection of these 7day We are proud that the District is taking the lead in implementing this project, but we also know that this is a major challenge because the success of this project will depend on our involvement.”
The project, funded and run by FAO and CODICOM, aims to address disruptions in meat and vegetable supply chains in highly vulnerable areas of Bangui and was launched in June 2014. Part of FAO’s larger resilience programme, which aims to implement strategies to respond to and mitigate the adverse effects of the current crisis, the project will help recapitalize vulnerable peri-urban producers and reduce youth unemployment through socio-vocational integration.
“We have to face fear and uncertainty and go to our compatriots in the so-called high-risk areas, because what really matters to us is that everyone has the opportunity to produce and have enough food, even those caught up in violence; to help them break the chain of poverty and participate in national reconciliation and cohesion,” said Raymond Mbadjiré, project manager, speaking of the challenges they face.
For FAO Representative Jean-Alexandre Scaglia, “this positive attitude is an example to be emulated in the Central African Republic, where we need to recognize that initiatives like this are important solutions that can bring significant benefits to the country’s economy.” He stressed the project’s focus on the socio-economic inclusion of youth and the importance of restoring “hope for a better life.”
FAO has already assisted 1,100 young people through initiatives to increase poultry, fish and cash crop production, and is currently supporting 1,000 young people through other activities including labour-intensive work, horticulture schools, peri-urban agriculture, food for work and the development of agribusiness.
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