UN humanitarian fund allocates $7.1 million to crisis-affected people in Central African Republic

(Bangui/Geneva, 4 June 2013): The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated over US$7.1 million to lifesaving assistance to be provided through UN agencies to some 1.1 million people, including 595,000 children below 5 years of age, in the Central African Republic (CAR).

The already dire humanitarian situation in the CAR has been exacerbated by the conflict and crisis of the past six months. The CAR today has an estimated 206,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 17,000 refugees, while over 49,000 Central Africans have fled mainly to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Chad.

Access to people in need is difficult due to a challenging security situation, but emergency relief activities are taking place where and when possible. However, further funding is required as the Humanitarian Appeal for CAR, requesting $139 million, is under-funded at 31 per cent while the humanitarian community is preparing to respond to the increasing needs of crisis-affected people.

“The humanitarian community in the CAR expresses sincere gratitude for the funds received. This allocation will enable us to provide life-saving assistance targeted at people in desperate need of help. We will provide food and medical assistance, access to potable water and sanitation, psychosocial support to victims of gender-based violence, waste management support and reproductive health care,” said Kaarina Immonen, the Humanitarian Coordinator for CAR.

The UN humanitarian response is informed by rapid assessments, and the CERF funding is allocated to the following priority sectors:

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) receives $279,792 to strengthen emergency obstetrical and neonatal care and to provide assistance to victims of sexual violence. The World Health Organization (WHO) is allocated $875,000 to provide emergency health care including surgical treatment to people affected by the crisis.

To provide food security assistance to vulnerable populations, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) receive $806,215 and World Food Programme (WFP) receives $680,510; additionally, WFP will benefit from $735,983 to reestablish emergency telecommunication services for the humanitarian community and $1 million to ensure continuation of the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS).

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is allocated $375,000 to provide protection monitoring and assistance to IDPs, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) receives $1,599,929 to provide health and nutrition assistance; $362,730 to provide medical and psychosocial support to survivors of gender-based violence and the protection of children associated with armed groups; and $250,344 to provide clean water and basic hygiene and waste management services. The latter is a joint initiative with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which receives $167,562 to improve sanitation and waste management services in the capital.

CERF was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006 to make funding for humanitarian emergencies faster and more equitable. Since then, more than 120 Member States and dozens of private sector donors have pledged nearly US$3.3 billion to the Fund, which is managed by OCHA. Since its inception, CERF has allocated almost $3 billion for humanitarian agencies operating in 87 countries and territories.