Integrated Food Security and Protection Response in CAR

The Issue

In northern and eastern Central African Republic, repeated shocks continue to affect communities in different ways depending on the location. Armed violence, displacement, limited access to services and climate variability all contribute to fragile living conditions.

Food insecurity remains a major concern in several areas, particularly in Ouham-Pendé and Lim-Pendé, where many households are unable to cover their basic food needs and rely on negative coping strategies such as reducing meals or selling productive assets. At the same time, access to land, inputs and stable markets remain limited.

Protection risks are also high. Women and girls face significant exposure to gender-based violence, while access to services remains uneven across locations. In some areas, community mechanisms exist but are not fully functional or accessible, especially in remote zones.

The situation varies across the intervention areas. While needs remain acute in some locations, others are transitioning, requiring a more targeted and adapted response rather than a uniform approach.

The Project

This project provides a targeted and integrated response adapted to the specific needs of each area, combining food assistance, livelihood support, protection services and emergency response:

Food assistance: Vulnerable households receive cash or vouchers during the lean season, with modalities adapted to market conditions to ensure access to food in a safe and appropriate way.
Livelihood support: In selected areas where conditions allow, agricultural inputs and training support households to restore production. This component is implemented only where it has demonstrated impact.
Protection: The project strengthens community-based protection systems, supports survivors of violence, and provides psychosocial support through static and mobile teams to reach underserved areas.
Crisis response: A crisis modifier allows rapid assistance to households affected by new shocks, based on quick assessments and adapted modalities

The Change

The project aims to stabilize the situation of vulnerable households by addressing both immediate needs and key risk factors.

Households receiving food assistance will be better able to cover their basic needs during critical periods, reducing reliance on harmful coping strategies. In areas where livelihood support is provided, families will gradually regain production capacity and improve their food availability.

Protection risks will be reduced through stronger community mechanisms and improved access to services. Survivors of violence will have access to more structured and confidential support, while community actors will be better equipped to identify and respond to risks.

The project also strengthens the ability to respond to shocks. When new crises occur, rapid assessments and flexible assistance will help limit the immediate impact on affected households. Overall, the intervention contributes to reducing immediate vulnerabilities while reinforcing local systems and capacities in a targeted and context-specific way.

The Partners

DCA is implementing the project alongside three consortium partners:

Finn Church Aid (FCA): leading protection activities and mobile response.
Bria Londo: national partner implementing food security activities in Haute-Kotto.
PASSA: national partner specialised in community-based protection and GBV response.