Humanitarian groups warn of food shortages, lack of health care and education services in CAR

"Humanitarian agencies are warning of a looming food crisis in parts of the Central African Republic (CAR), a result of the insecurity that has displaced thousands of people and disrupted cultivation and trade," IRIN reports. "Food prices are increasing, according to the findings of a recent assessment by [the World Food Programme (WFP)] and its partners," the news service writes. "'Between July and September, there will be serious food shortages in the most affected areas. So the first priority is to restart programs that have been disrupted in these areas,' Jean Martin Bauer, an analyst with the [WFP], said," IRIN notes. "Other main humanitarian needs include health care and education," the news service writes, adding, "The number of patients seeking medical care is on the rise" (2/22).