Prioritisation shows $29 million needed immediately to save lives in Central African Republic

(New York/Geneva/Bangui, 4 February 2008): Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and United Nations agencies together have ranked all projects in the emergency appeal for the Central African Republic (CAR), which is a part of the Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) for 2008. Overall, 37 of 75 projects in the country's appeal were identified as 'high' or 'immediate' priority. These projects, which carry a price tag of $29 million, will provide life-saving assistance to 1 million people, including 200,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 3,000 Sudanese refugees.

"Stating clear priorities and mobilising money in line with them has been a long-standing aim in the aid community. I am pleased to see that NGOs and United Nations agencies in CAR have joined forces and shown that this is possible," said John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. "I ask the international community to support these efforts generously," he added.

Most of the 37 priority projects provide emergency healthcare, protect displaced populations, in particular women and children, and ensure that populations struck by violence have sufficient access to food and water. For example, one project includes emergency health services and counselling offered by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to 50,000 people, including 25,000 IDPs. Another project, by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), aims to help and protect more than 150,000 IDPs and vulnerable women and children in the north-western prefectures of Nana-Gribizi, Ouham, and Ouham-Pendé.

When ranking the projects in the appeal on a scale ranging from immediate to medium priority, humanitarian organisations used six criteria. Immediate priority was given to projects meeting all six: saving lives, in a conflict zone, with a clear deadline, and underscoring the importance of gender, capacity-building, and crucial support services.

Toby Lanzer, Humanitarian Coordinator in the Central African Republic, commented: "Prioritizing the projects in the appeal helps us be sure that we are reaching people who need aid the most. It also shows our concern for transparency and accountability when implementing humanitarian programmes".

In addition to the $29 million required for this immediate response, $63.6 million is required for the medium-priority projects in the 2008 appeal. The appeal comprises 75 projects by 17 NGOs and 11 UN entities, asking the international community to contribute $92.6 million. To date, the international community has pledged some $2.3 million, or 2 per cent of the $92.6 million required.

For further information, please call: Christina Bennett, OCHA-NY, +1 917 367 8059; Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570; Nancy Snauwaert, OCHA-CAR, +236 75 54 2278 or snauwaert@un.org. OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int.