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RCA_Bouar_WASH (10) © Action contre la Faim RCA

Headline

Central African Republic

Emergency response for internally displaced persons by post-electoral violences

n the Central African Republic, civilians are still highly impacted by the violence following the presidential election of December 2020. The displacement of populations and the halt to imports following the border blockade orchestrated by armed groups have worsened the living conditions of Central Africans while the country imports essential goods. Despite the gradual reopening of the main road between Bangui, the CAR capital, and Cameroon, where nearly 1,600 trucks carrying food or essential goods are blocked, the humanitarian situation remains critical in an already fragile country.

According to OCHA, more than 240,000 people inside CAR have been displaced since mid-December because of the violence. Although half of the IDPs have returned home in the recent weeks, more than 117,000 people remain internally displaced. At the end of January, 105,000 new people had fled to neighbouring countries.

To assist the populations affected by displacement, Action Against Hunger has dispatched its Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) team to Lithon, 22km from Bangui.

"People have left their villages in a hurry because of the clashes. They did not take anything with them so we set up a rapid response to provide them with the essential household items they need."
Mathilde Lambert
director of Action Against Hunger, Central African Republic

In Lithon, 526 families or 2,607 people have received non-food item kits and hygiene kits. Essential household items include a tarpaulin, mats, blankets, a mosquito net and a 3-metre loincloth for settling in and protecting oneself from the environment, a kitchen kit, as well as soaps and containers to transport water safely while avoiding outside contamination. The hygiene kit also includes underwear and menstrual protection and a bucket.

RCA_Bouar_WASH (9) © Action contre la Faim RCA

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RCA_Bouar_WASH (8) © Action contre la Faim RCA

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In the west of the country, in Bouar, where more than 12,000 people are internally displaced, Action Against Hunger teams are working to provide safe and drinking water. Six bladders, mobile water tanks, have been installed. Four in sites and two on trucks for supply. A total of six sites are supplied with drinking water.

“On a daily basis, we provide water for about 11,000 people, says Lambert. We were already present in Bouar with our RRM team because it is a region where humanitarian needs are present. We were carrying out food distribution activities as well as mental health and practical care activities. Over there, 18% of new-borns weigh less than 2.5 kg at birth. With the new displacements, the food insecurity already present in this area, and the lack of access to care, there is a fear of an increase in severe acute malnutrition among children. The provision of drinking water, beyond an essential need for everyone, reduces the risk of diarrhoeal diseases, which are often a factor that causes children to become malnourished. »


Emergency response activities for IDPs were supported by UNICEF in Lithon, MSF, ICRC and UNICEF in Bouar.

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