Central African Republic country strategic plan (2023–2027)

CSP approved at EB February 2023 session

The Central African Republic, a least-developed country that is among the world’s poorest, is affected by historic conflicts, poor governance and weak institutions. The compound effects of widespread violence, sociopolitical instability, structural and governance deficits and climate change have left more than half of the population in need of humanitarian assistance. Insecurity has disrupted the health and education sectors, constrained access to basic services and increased inequality, affecting the most marginalized population groups (women, girls, young people, ethnic minorities) in particular. In May 2022, there were 602,134 internally displaced persons in the country.

To address the challenges, crisis response will be the priority under the Central African Republic country strategic plan for 2023–2027. However, to contribute to sustained change WFP will develop a long-term approach in accordance with the humanitarian–development–peace nexus approach. Putting people and communities at the heart of its interventions and “leaving no one behind”, WFP will follow a principled humanitarian approach, working in synergy with humanitarian and development partners wherever possible to respond to urgent needs while addressing the root causes of vulnerability and strengthening the capacities and systems that support vulnerable populations. Informed by conflict analyses, the approach followed throughout the period of the country strategic plan will be context-specific and agile and will promote and foster partnerships with other United Nations entities, particularly the other Rome-based agencies, international financial institutions and national and international non-governmental organizations.

The plan supports the national recovery and peacebuilding plan for 2017–2021 (subsequently extended until 2023), and other national priorities and is informed by the United Nations common country analysis, the United Nations sustainable development cooperation framework for 2023–2027 and the most recent humanitarian response plan (2022). It incorporates lessons learned from the evaluation of the interim country strategic plan for 2017–2022 and other thematic assessments.

Mainstreaming the pursuit of gender equality, climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability throughout its interventions, WFP will prioritize an integrated approach under five country strategic plan outcomes aimed at reducing the need for humanitarian assistance over the long term. Those outcomes are as follows:

➢ 1: Crisis-affected populations in the Central African Republic, including refugees, internally displaced persons, returnees and host populations with or without disabilities, are able to meet their food and nutrition needs during and in the aftermath of crises.

➢ 2: Nutritionally vulnerable and shock-affected populations (including indigenous peoples), with or without disabilities in targeted areas have improved nutrition, health and education and enhanced access to safe and nutritious diets and school feeding in line with national standards by 2027.

➢ 3: Food-insecure and shock-affected populations in targeted areas have improved livelihoods and more resilient and sustainable food systems by 2027.

➢ 4: National institutions and partners have strengthened capacities to manage food and nutrition programmes and strengthen the social protection system by 2027.

➢ 5: The Government and humanitarian and development partners in the Central African Republic can reach populations in vulnerable situations and respond to emergencies throughout the year.

Implementation of the country strategic plan will contribute to WFP strategic outcomes 1 (People are better able to meet their urgent food and nutrition needs), 2 (People have better nutrition, health and education outcomes), 3 (People have improved and sustainable livelihoods), 4 (National programmes and systems are strengthened) and 5 (Humanitarian and development actors are more efficient and effective).