Central African Republic

+50% of the population in need of humanitarian assistance

71% of the population lived below the international poverty line in 2020

712,945 displaced people due to armed conflicts

590,213 people helped

Since 2013, the Central African Republic and in particular the northwestern part of the country, has been plagued by considerable instability, with persistent tensions between armed groups.

In fact, CAR suffers from a severe protection crisis; insecurity continues to be a major concern and armed groups have a very strong hold on the country. Between January and August 2020, 1,104 violations of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation by the six key signatories were recorded.

Approximately 712,945 Central Africans have had to flee their home areas due to clashes between armed groups, inter-community violence, attacks on the civilian population, etc. 73% of them are living with host families. In addition, 709,000 Central Africans are refugees in neighboring countries (Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Sudan, etc.).

Due to security, socio-economic and health shocks (COVID-19, etc.) approximately 2.8 million Central Africans are in need of humanitarian assistance and nearly ¾ are in acute need, in 2021 (1.9 million people).

The rate of people that are in a situation of food insecurity, represents 57% of the population in September 2021. Harvests have been disrupted by the security situation, resulting in limited production due to limited access to seeds and low stock levels.

Nearly 2.8 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in the health sector (health cluster, March 2021). Indeed, the succession of crises has dismantled the already very fragile activities of health prevention, health care and rapid response capacities in case of epidemics. The country still faces epidemics (measles, rabies, etc.) but above all the Covid-19 pandemic, the control of which is a national problem.

The population’s access to water, hygiene and sanitation services remains very poor in CAR. Indeed, according to the General Directorate of Hydraulic Resources (GDHR), the water coverage rate is around 32% and less than 30% for sanitation. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the inadequacy of water, hygiene and sanitation services at both the health facility level and community level to reduce the risk of spreading the disease.

The government is gradually seeking to establish its presence outside the capital. National capacity remains very weak and social services available to the population are limited.

4.9 million inhabitants
71% of the population live below the poverty line in 202020
188th out of 189 on the Human Development Index

Mission
opened in 2006
Team 20 international staff
147 national staff
Budget 6.9M€

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL operates in the prefectures of Ouham, Ouham-Pendé, Nana-Gribizi, Kemo and Bamingui-Bangoran.

Our teams rehabilitate water and sanitation infrastructures, while training water management committees to ensure their sustainability. Our awareness campaigns on hygiene and the use of water points help to cope with the high pressure of the massive influx of people. SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL supplies drinking water to families and farmers by repairing defective boreholes and ensuring the transport and storage of this water to their land, thus helping to improve the food security of these populations.

Distribution of agricultural inputs, tools and training allows for the re-launch of agricultural, pastoral and commercial activities and thus increase the availability of food and re-launch the market.

Dugouts and fishing equipment as well as training have also been provided to fishermen in order to restart their activity.

Thanks to a rapid emergency response mechanism and the creation of an emergency stock, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL is ready to intervene in the first few hours of a disaster of human or natural origin in the sub-prefectures of Kabo and Batangafo, Kaga-Bandoro and Mbrès, Sibut and Dekoa, Bamingui and Ndélé. It provides access to drinking water, shelter, essential household items and sanitation for populations that became vulnerable due to shocks, natural disasters or epidemics. These interventions are complemented by hygiene promotion activities and several rounds of food distribution.

Partners

European Union (ECHO), UNICEF, FCDO, CHF, BHA, CIAA, CDCS, FH, Local communities

Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)

– Strengthening the capacities of communities and populations in terms of sanitation and hygiene
– Implementation of a fully community-driven sanitation project
– Support to water management committees (sanitation and hygiene)
– Campaigns to promote good sanitation and hygiene practices
– Distribution of NFI/EHA kits for the treatment of acute malnutrition
– Construction/ Rehabilitation of protected water points
– Construction/ Rehabilitation of sanitary structures (lavatories, showers)
– Construction and rehabilitation of water supply and sanitation infrastructures in health structures and at the community level

Food security

– Food assistance (food distribution)
– Support for food and vegetable production (distribution of inputs, tools, training, etc.)
– Support to the fishing sector by distributing equipment
– Training and support for small traders in the creation of income-generating activities