Following a March 2013 military coup, the Central African Republic saw an escalation of violence that often targeted civilians. The conflict escalated when anti-Balaka militant groups faced the ex-Séleka at the end of 2013, reaching unprecedented levels of violence and resulting in human rights abuses on both sides. The recent escalation of violence in CAR has brought the country towards the brink of a new, large-scale humanitarian crisis. The degree of violence observed in recent months has reached a point not seen since 2014.
As a result the conflict caused over 500,000 internally displaced people in CAR, out of whom 60 percent are children. An additional 500,000 have sought refuge in neighboring Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of Congo.
It is estimated that over half of CAR’s population continue to need immediate assistance ( 2,2 million people out of 4,6 million) The situation is made worse by the lack of funding for the humanitarian response. In 2017, only one quarter of the money needed to adequately respond to the most basic needs was pledged. The security situation in CAR remains volatile and unpredictable.
LWF response
Central African Republic
We are assisting internally displaced people (IDPs), affected communities and those returning home in the Nana Mambéré, Ouham Pendé, Mambere Kadei and Sangha Mbaere prefectures in the west of the country, with a focus on:
Protecting IDPs and vulnerable host communities affected by conflict and trauma
Creating safe conditions for the return of IDPs and refugees, including peace building and social cohesion efforts
Improving access to safe water and proper sanitation
Providing communities with the tools and ability to rebuild their homes
Supporting livelihoods and ensuring basic needs are met
Improving communities’ ability to cope with emergencies
Distributing cash vouchers
Improve primary education by providing food and establish school vegetable gardens
Core activities include rehabilitating water points, offering material assistance, reconstructing shelters, providing psychosocial and livelihood projects, and training local staff and community trainers in emergency preparedness, eg food security, basic water, sanitation and hygiene amenities .
With our partners, we continue to distribute , agricultural tools and seeds, and rehabilitate water resources and basic sanitation infrastructure.
Coordination
We are coordinating operations with ACT Alliance members in country DCA and FCA and have partnerships with UNHCR, FAO and OCHA-UNDP. We also work with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic, NGOs and women’s groups.
