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COOPI's activities in Central African Republic

Abstract from the COOPI's Annual Report 2005, January 2006.

Programs in progress:

1) Healthcare organization for the Regions of Bamingui and Vakaga, Phase 2:

This 11-month Program was begun in November 2004, with a contribution of 331,357,600 CFA Francs from the European Union - in the framework of the EDF initiatives. It aims to support the process of health management and reorganization in the two Prefectures, in order to guarantee equal and efficient access to health services for the population, by improving the quality of the services.

2) Professional consulting services:

This 2-year 6-month program, divided in two phases, was begun in October 2003 with a total contribution of about CAN $ 62,000 from FCIL (Fond Canadien d'Initiatives Locales). It aims to provide professional and technical services to the Canadian High Commission in Yaoundé for the management and coordination of the "Programme du Fonds Canadien d'Initiatives Locales (FCIL)" for the CAF; identification and analysis of requests, preparation of documents, financial monitoring and control of approved projects, and the preparation and presentation of an annual report.

3) Integrated development in the Sub-Prefecture of Mbaiki:

This 3-year Program was begun in July 2004 with a contribution of € 738,000 from the European Union. It aims to contribute to the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of the population (37,230 inhabitants) in the rural area of the Sub-Prefecture of Mbaiki, Prefecture of Lobaye, and to contribute to the improvement of agricultural activities, healthcare and educational services for 6,000 rural families in the towns of Pissa, Lesse, and Mbata through providing infrastructure, training, support for local organizations and awareness campaigns (50% women).

4) Strengthening the fight against discrimination of the Aka Pygmy minority in the CAF and emphasizing their socio-cultural identity:

This 3-year Program was begun in July 2003 with a contribution of approximately € 503,000 from the European Union. It aims to promote actions that favor increased integration of the Pygmy population and the defense of human rights. The Program's specific goals are: to promote awareness, knowledge and the spread of human rights for the Aka Pygmies; to create a system for monitoring discrimination against human rights, together with the Aka Pygmies; to promote the participation of Pygmies in public life; and to promote the spread of and respect for their cultural, linguistic and religious identity.

5) Support for Congolese refugees in the CAF:

This 2-year multi-phase program was begun in January 2002 and is still in progress with a contribution of US $ 1,000,000 from UNHCR. It aims to favor the socio-economic integration of refugees, so they can become self-sufficient while waiting to return to their own.

6) Micro-projects Program for community organizations in the CAF:

This 13-month program was begun in December with a contribution of CFA 18,297,000 Francs from the European Union -EDF-, and intends identifying and implementing micro-projects in manufacturing/sales and social service sectors, implementing support mechanisms for Primary Community Organizations (OCB) with the objective of improving the quality of life of the population in the Prefecture of Lobaye.

7) Healthcare emergency in the Prefectures of Ouham and Ouham-Pendé:

This 1-year program was begun February 2005 with a contribution of approximately US $ 850,000 from the World Bank. The intervention is aimed at sustaining management and reorganization processes of healthcare structures in these two prefectures by guaranteeing the population access to healthcare and prevention facilities by improving their quality, reducing the high incidence of infant-maternal mortality and preventing the transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus.

Program ready to start:

8) Global Donations, Beneficiary Country: Central African Republic:

This 1-year program will begin in early 2006 with a contribution of approximately € 600,000 from the European Union. The intervention is aimed at strengthening the durability and capabilities for action of the basic associations in the CAF; by improving health conditions in the 3° arrondissement of Bangui and healthcare conditions of the general population.

9) Support in the Development of the healthcare system in the prefectures of Ouham and Ouham Pendé:

This 18-month program will begin in early 2006 with a contribution of approximately € 1,700,000 from German Cooperation, and is aimed at sustaining management and reorganization processes of healthcare structures in these two prefectures by guaranteeing the population access to healthcare and prevention facilities.

Programs presented for funding:

Natural resource and Forest management in the periurban area north of Bangui:

This program was presented to the European Union with a request for funding of approximately € 2,000,000 and is currently in the approval phase. It aims at better utilization of natural resources and intervening against erosion and soil degradation, diminishing the tree felling process by putting a stop to the loss of biodiversity process.