Central African Republic: Senior Humanitarian Coordinator, Claire Bourgeois, calls for additional support for the Vakaga Province

(Bangui, 10 November 2014): The Senior Humanitarian Coordinator, Claire Bourgeois visited the Vakaga province, in north-eastern Central African Republic on November 8, to assess humanitarian needs in the area and to underline the humanitarian community’s commitment to the conflict-displaced populations.

She was accompanied by a representative of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners. The delegation met with provincial authorities, mayors, local NGOs, community and displaced in Tiringoulou, to discuss their challenges to meet their daily basic needs. The most urgent needs identified are education and food security, while International Medical Corps (IMC) is ensuring health services in the area.

“I was deeply impressed by the spirit and resilience of the community that had for instance built a ward of the health center themselves with the material provided by IMC. I also appreciated some technical training for youth and literacy classes for adults. However, immediate further action in support of displaced and hosting communities is required to meet at least minimal basic services”, Claire Bourgeois said. The authorities and communities repeatedly requested the need to start the school year in the entire province.

“It is unacceptable to hear that classes at the primary school will not start in the new school built and routine immunization cannot be conducted because the much-needed fridge is not in place due to road insecurity and the regular chain supply of vaccines is on standstill. It is imperative to secure access for convoys delivering aid supplies from Bangui and increase protection programmes, comprising Gender Based Violence and children protection against armed group’s recruitment. Alternatively, we risk further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the region,” she added.

The Vakaga province is characterised by years of instability, violence and chronic insecurity. The situation is aggravated by the closure of the Chadian border that used to supply food and goods and has a major negative impact in the area. In addition, its geographical remoteness and poor infrastructure has cut it off from the rest of the country.

“I met people who have had to flee their homes in Bangui to this remote area, separated from their beloved ones and are terrified to go back. I heard young displaced with only one request: to return to the University. I hope that we can all work towards a situation where a peaceful life in this region is possible, securing for everybody a better long-term future,” she added.

The Central African Republic continues to face a humanitarian crisis of major proportions. Nearly a million people have been displaced and 2.5 million are in need of immediate assistance. One fifth of Central Africans have fled their homes to seek refuge in spontaneous Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) sites, with host families, and in neighbouring countries.

For further information please contact: OCHA CAR: Francois Goemans Head of Office +236 70738730, goemans@un.org; Gemma Cortes, Public Information Officer, +236 70087565, cortesg@un.org