Boost to emergency relief in Central African Republic
(New York/Bangui, 21 April 2009): Interim Humanitarian Coordinator Mai Moussa Abari today signed off the latest projects to benefit from the Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF).
The CHF was established in the Central African Republic (CAR) in July 2008 to provide funding that is both strategic as well being readily available for emergencies. Its first allocation last year was USD 2.3 million; this year's first tranche has risen to USD 4.1 million.
Using participatory decision-making, funding is allocated sector by sector in an open inclusive process in which all interested agencies take part.
"During allocation rounds, the highest-priority underfunded sectors receive support," explained Jean-Sébastien Munié, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in CAR. "This has helped compensate for unequal funding between sectors in our humanitarian appeal."
The Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world and basic health indicators remain amongst the worst in Africa. Funding from the CHF will support projects by 18 local and international non-governmental organizations and UN agencies to bring aid to areas affected by conflict, banditry and displacement.
Activities include the provision of life-saving drugs and clean drinking water and support for victims of rape. The CHF will also support essential shared services such as air access to remote areas, as well as coordination and data collection. In addition to the allocation announced today, the CHF also provides a further reserve for breaking emergencies so that aid agencies can respond at very short notice.
"With the emergency reserve, we are also able to respond much more quickly to breaking emergencies, such as an epidemic, malnutrition, or new displacement," said Mr. Munié.
"While the humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic is rarely reported in international media, it is far from over," said Mr. Abari. "This year alone, almost 24,000 people have been forced to flee their homes all across the north of the country. This allocation from the CHF comes at a critical time; I would like to thank all donor countries who have contributed to the fund."
So far, Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom have donated USD 5.9 million to the CHF in the Central African Republic in 2009. The humanitarian community in CAR hopes to hold a second allocation round later in the year, for which additional funding will be sought.
For further information, please contact:
Jean-Sébastien Munié, OCHA-Central African Republic, +236 7555 4141, munie@un.org
Information and reports on the Common Humanitarian Fund in CAR are available at