20 May, 2016
The intercommunity conflicts that erupted in the Central African Republic (CAR) in December 2013 had devastating effects on civilians. Many were forced to flee their homes in search of refuge. Today, over 418,000 people live in makeshift displacement sites or with host families within CAR’s borders, while over 460,000 Central Africans are in neighbouring countries. Almost half the population—2.3 million people—lack basic supplies including food and potable water. With relative peace countrywide, people are returning to their homes with the hope of rebuilding their lives.
Before the conflicts began, Nana Mambere Province was the country’s bread basket for animal husbandry. Of the 16,000 residents in Niem village, about 70 per cent were cattle herders and 30 per cent farmers. According to a May 2015 food security assessment by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), most herdsmen had at least 100 cattle before the crisis, but the average number of cows per household is now between 30 and 50 herds .
Dawa Jonas, 66, is a native of Niem village, where he lives with his wife and five children. Before the crisis he owned 50 cows and 15 goats, but the majority were looted by armed groups and some died of preventable diseases. He now has only 33 cows and seven goats. The income from the sale of fresh meat enables him to provide for his family, and he benefitted from a vaccination campaign in Niem in March, organized by CRS.
“I have not lost any cattle to disease since the vaccination campaign. My herd is healthy and I am very grateful because the vaccinations were free,” said Jonas.
CRS supplied the free vaccinations with support from the OCHA-managed CAR Humanitarian Fund (HF). CRS is helping herdsmen like Jonas to care for their families by strengthening their resilience and livelihoods. As the herdsmen’s main source of income is cattle rearing, the campaign ensured the vaccination of livestock against diseases and epidemics, boosting their immunity and keeping them alive longer. During the campaign, 50,000 cows and 10,000 small ruminants were vaccinated and dewormed.
Healthier cows
Sixty-five-year-old Becka Fabien has only six cows out of the 80 he had before the conflicts. His cows were also looted and he was obliged to sell some to pay for the release of his 30-year-old son who was kidnapped by an armed group in Niem. His family consumes meat and fresh milk from the cows, and he sells meat to generate income.
“After the vaccinations, my cows are healthier and showing no symptoms of diseases,” he said. “They are growing fatter every single day and I am very pleased. I can now put food on the table and take better care of my family.”
Returning to a way of life
Through the HF allocation, CRS is also distributing tools and seeds to 50 farming groups in Niem. According to a 2015 food security rapid assessment by Action contre la Faim, 30 per cent of displaced people who returned to Nana Mambere Province cannot access sufficient food. Furthermore, 77 per cent of the 293,759 inhabitants in the province are food insecure.
The Food and Agriculture Organization provided complimentary support with vaccines, coolers, syringes, seeds and planting tools.
Considering the increase in hunger levels countrywide and alarmingly high malnutrition rates, CRS’s agricultural support to Niem’s rural community is boosting residents’ capacity to diversify their eating habits and generate household incomes.
“People want to return to their way of life before the crisis,” said Didier Mashariki, CRS Head of Sub-office in Bouar. “We are helping families to restore their livelihoods and live in peace with one another. They are rebuilding their lives better.”
The peaceful coexistence that existed in the region was ruptured by recurrent intercommunity conflicts, leaving people in constant fear of attacks. CRS’s assistance has a two-pronged approach because it also aims to strengthen social cohesion within communities. The farming groups assisted by CRS consist of Fulani nomads (peuhl) and indigenous communities in Niem.
“We lost everything during the crisis,” said Ahmidou Rachel, a mother of eight. “Our house was looted when we sought refuge in the bush, the store where I sold basic household items was also looted and I lost all my goods. I had nothing left to sustain my family. It was a nightmare.”
Upon returning to Niem, Ahmidou joined a farming group and received assistance from CRS. She explained: “I was given a jerrycan, hoe, shovel, rake, watering can and seeds for vegetables including tomatoes, lettuce and okra. We planted as a group and the harvest was very fruitful. I am now able to feed my family and even sell surplus in the local market. During the previous harvest I generated 10,000 FCFA (US$17) from the sale of my vegetables. My children are all attending school and I hope to open another retail store one day.”
Staple and cash crops strengthen livelihoods
Niem’s residents have access only to local markets due to poor road infrastructure. Public transport rarely goes to the village because few people can afford the high cost—a return trip is approximately 4,000 FCFA ($7). This is not beneficial for farmers who want to sell produce in the nearest town, Bouar, which is 65 km away. They often incur losses as the vegetables are highly perishable.
Staple foods in Niem are helping to save the lives of people affected by years of violence, but cash crops strengthen their livelihoods further. “We need more seeds including groundnuts, onions and potatoes, which will diversify our meals,” said Ahmidou. “Moreover, these foodstuffs can be stored for a longer period until we can either sell or consume them during the lean season.”.
Recognizing these specific needs, CRS is using the HF allocation to distribute groundnuts, corn, sorghum, zucchini and kidney bean seeds to 500 households in Niem.