OCHA CAR- Press release- Allocation of the Humanitarian Fund in CAR, May 2017

THE CAR HUMANITARIAN FUND RELEASES $ 9 MILLION TO SUPPORT UNDERFUNDED HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Bangui, 11 May 2017 – The humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) remains dramatic. The first quarter of 2017 has been marked by a multiplication of hotspots which led to new displacements and a rise of already huge needs. Notably, between February and March 2017, CAR has witnessed a 6% increase in the number of newly displaced people from 401 072 to 426 100. This degradation happens at a time when the level of funding of the humanitarian action in 2017 is worryingly low.

Faced with this critical situation, the Humanitarian Coordinator in CAR, Ms. Najat Rochdi, launched the first standard allocation of the CAR Humanitarian Fund (HF CAR) for the year 2017.

Amounting to $9 million, this allocation aims at alleviating the most essential and critical needs to ‘save lives’ and reduce vulnerability of people in need. The areas targeted by this allocation are Basse Kotto, Mbomou, Nana Gribizi, Ouaka and Ouham-Pendé provinces. In these areas, between September 2016 and March 2017, a high number of hotspots emerged leading to massive displacements and severe challenges related to protection of civilians issues. This first allocation targets projects aimed at responding to needs in terms of education, protection, health, nutrition as well as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH). Logistics, shelter and non-food items as well as coordination and site management are also part of the targeted priority needs.

At the time when this allocation is launched, only 11% of the Humanitarian Response Plan worth $399.5 million has been secured. The allocation of the Humanitarian Fund will push the level of funding up to 14%. This is critical to CAR where a dire humanitarian crisis is still ongoing. CAR is the only country worldwide where half of the population owes its survival to humanitarian assistance. Therefore, an adequate level of funding of humanitarian activities remains an absolute priority. Otherwise, CAR risks relapsing into an acute crisis. In this regard, Ms. Najat Rochdi reiterated her gratitude to donors who supported the humanitarian response and renewed her call for increased funding given that the humanitarian situation is still worrying. “It is the peace process consolidation which is at stake” she added.

To date, for 2017, the HF CAR has allocated $5.2 million thanks to the contributions of Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden, the United Kingdom who renewed their support worth $5.6 million. In order to respond to new emergencies and prepare the second 2017 allocation, additional resources are required to continue responding to urgent needs. In 2016, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom contributed $28 million to the HF CAR.

For more information, please contact OCHA CAR Joseph Inganji, Head of Office, +236 70738730, inganji@un.org Yaye Nabo Séne, Chief, Public Information + 236 70 08 75 65, seney@un.org Press releases are available on www.unocha.org or www.reliefweb.int