UN Emergency Response Fund releases US$9 million for life-saving assistance in the Central African Republic

(Bangui, 26 August 2016): On 16 August, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien, released US$9 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support life-saving assistance for the people affected by persisting violence in the Central African Republic (CAR). This brings CERF support to CAR and the neighboring countries since the beginning of the crisis in 2013 to $100 million.

“The protracted CAR crisis has rendered 2.3 million people – almost half of the population, in dire need of protection and humanitarian assistance,” said the Humanitarian Coordinator in CAR, Fabrizio Hochschild. “Access to basic social services including healthcare, schools and potable water are among the priority needs of the most vulnerable people”, added Mr. Hochschild.

There has been an improvement in the security situation since the beginning of 2016 however human rights violations including attacks against civilians continue to occur in many parts of the country. Due to ongoing insecurity and widespread destruction, over 380,000 people are still displaced in CAR while about 470,000 CAR nationals have found refuge in neighboring countries.

The humanitarian community continues to provide multi-sectoral emergency assistance in the country.
These efforts are however hampered by armed attacks and poor road infrastructure. Over the past few months, persisting insecurity including robberies and attacks on humanitarian organisations in the MbrèsKaga-Bandoro-Bakala-Ouandago central region, have hindered the distribution of food and agricultural assistance. In May, the killing of an aid worker in the northern region of Nana Bakassa-Kouki required the temporary suspension of activities following this attack.

As of 23 August, the Humanitarian Response Plan requesting US$531 is only 28 per cent funded. The CERF grant will help mitigate the funding shortfall and support the further delivery of critical health and education services, access to food, emergency shelter, protection of women and girls, and water and sanitation.

“This new funding will enable us to boost our assistance to over 500,000 vulnerable people; including internally displaced persons, host communities and returnees,” said Mr. Hochschild. “This CERF grant is timely and crucial for humanitarian operations in CAR. Faced with competing emergencies worldwide, I urge donors to continue supporting the ongoing humanitarian response in CAR,” added Mr. Hochschild.

For further information please contact:

OCHA CAR: Joseph Inganji, Head of Office +236 70738730, inganji@un.org Laura Fultang, Public Information Officer, +236 70188064, fultangl@un.org

OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int