March 2017 – Since internal conflict erupted in March 2013, the humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) deteriorated rapidly, as inter-communal violence spun out of control and led to thousands of deaths, massive human displacement, and grave human rights abuses. Elections in March 2016 saw the introduction of a new President in CAR that brought a welcome yet short lived calm to the country. Despite the presence of a United Nations peacekeeping mission (MINUSCA), communities across CAR continue to be plagued by violence, armed criminality, and widespread humanitarian needs. Violence flared up again in the fall of 2016 after the head of the armed forces was assassinated in the capital. At present, more than 2.2 million people, more than half the population, require humanitarian assistance, over 434,000 people are internally displaced, and over 462,000 are living in neighbouring countries as refugees. High levels of instability and looting are hindering partners’ ability to respond to needs relating to widespread food insecurity, high levels of child malnutrition, and high maternal and child mortality rates. With GAC’s support, Plan International Canada aims to alleviate suffering and to strengthen the resilience of the most vulnerable populations affected by the conflict through protection and nutrition initiatives in the Ouham prefecture of Central African Republic, benefitting up to 15,000 people. The project supports access to quality child protection services, care and nutrition assistance. Project activities include: (1) identifying and training community-based protection groups on child protection, and GBV; (2) distributing dignity kits to up to 800 vulnerable adolescent girls and women; (3) establishing child-friendly spaces for up to 4,320 at-risk children; (4) training and coaching up to 7 case workers on case management of survivors of GBV and child survivors of abuse, violence, neglect and/or exploitation; and (5) screening up to 1,300 children for severe and moderate malnutrition and up to 150 pregnant and lactating women.
The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to a protective environment for conflict-affected girls, boys, adolescent girls and boys and women at risk of violence, including GBV; (2) increased access to quality services and psychosocial support to child and adolescent girl and boy survivors of violence, as well as adult survivors of GBV; and (3) increased access to comprehensive nutrition assistance for pregnant and lactating women as well as girls and boys under five. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved, suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.
