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HIGHLIGHTS
From January to June 2024, despite a relative improvement in the humanitarian context, populations in the Central African Republic (CAR) continue to face insecurity and threats to their well-being. It is estimated that 2.8 million people are so vulnerable that humanitarian assistance alone will not suffice to restore their well-being (Humanitarian Needs Overview 2024).
In the first semester, UNICEF was able to achieve the following results:
- The UNICEF-supported health facilities treated 180,651 children and women.
- 11,341 conflict-affected children benefited from play and recreational activities - affected children benefited from play and recreational activities through UNICEF supported Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS).
- 309,024 new cases of gender-based violence (GBV) accessed GBV risk mitigation, prevention and response interventions.
- UNICEF supported the treatment of 39,077 children aged between 0 and 59 months suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM).
- UNICEF and its partners provided access to safe water for 52,710 people.
- 52,120 vulnerable people recently affected by shocks benefitted from life-saving multi-sectoral interventions through the Rapid Response Mechanism.
FUNDING OVERVIEW AND PARTNERSHIPS
In 2024, UNICEF has appealed for US$ 66.7 million to respond to the humanitarian needs of children and women in the Central African Republic.
By the end of June 2024, over US$ 10.4 million (16 per cent of the appeal) have been timely received against the appeal thanks to the Governments of Japan, Korea, Sweden, the UK (FCDO), EU/ ECHO and Swiss Cooperation for Development as well as the UNICEF National Committees in Germany and in Spain. Total US$ 18.5 million (28 per cent of the appeal) has been carried forward from the previous year. These funds have allowed for seamless humanitarian response, with gratitude to the Governments of Canada, Norway, USA (USAID, BHA, State Department); the European Union, the Global Alliance on Vaccine (Gavi), Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) as well as UNICEF National Committees in France and in Spain.
The funding gap is US$ 33.8 million (51 per cent of the appeal). Funding gaps are recorded across sectors, with Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) recording the largest and urgent funding gaps, critical to ensure continuity in key and essential UNICEF-led response.
UNICEF will continue to advocate for partnerships and resources. In the context of CAR, flexible/softly earmarked, pooled, and multi-year funding are some of the best ways to achieve impact for children by facilitating a faster, more agile, and cost-effective response. UNICEF appeals for urgent assistance to reach with lifesaving support the most vulnerable children and families affected by shocks.
SITUATION OVERVIEW AND HUMANITARIAN NEEDS
From January to June 2024, despite a relative improvement in the humanitarian context, populations in the Central African Republic (CAR) continue to face insecurity and threats to their well-being. The humanitarian situation remains fragile due to ongoing insecurity, natural disasters, and population displacements. The influx of refugees from southern Chad and the war in Sudan has significantly impacted already vulnerable areas. The Korsi site in Birao currently hosts 13,760 Sudanese refugees, with 9,786 new arrivals since January, bringing the total number of Sudanese refugees in CAR to 26,043, alongside 6,158 returnees from Sudan. Additionally, over 38,000 people, primarily women and children, have fled from Chad to CAR since April 2023 due to intercommunal conflicts involving armed groups. They have sought refuge in the sub-prefectures of Paoua and Markounda, with many staying with host families who are themselves vulnerable.
The Central African government has taken steps to provide better protection for people fleeing the Sudan war and asylum-seekers, including granting prima facie refugee status to Sudanese and Chadian nationals settled in Lim-Pendé Prefecture, where a site in Betoko has been created to accommodate 10,000 people. As of May 30, 2024, there are an estimated 451,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in CAR, with 18 per cent in sites and 82 per cent with host families. Around 5,000 people continue to be displaced monthly due to insecurity, and 750,000 have sought refuge abroad, mainly in neighboring countries.
In 2024, 2.8 million Central Africans are estimated to be so vulnerable that humanitarian assistance alone will not suffice to restore their well-being. Of these, 1.9 million are targeted through the Humanitarian Response Plan.
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a critical issue, with nearly 5,000 cases reported in the first quarter of 2024. These include 37 per cent incidents of sexual violence, 25 per cent of physical assault, 18 per cent of deprivation of resources, 18 per cent of psychological violence, and 2 per cent of forced marriage. The majority of survivors (97 per cent) are women and girls. The prolonged crisis has led to negative coping mechanisms such as survival sex and early marriage, exacerbating the GBV occurrences.
The operational environment in CAR remains highly challenging for humanitarian workers, with 58 incidents affecting them from January to May 2024.