Central African Republic: Situation Report, 4 Aug 2023

CAR + 2 more

HIGHLIGHTS

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Meeting humanitarian needs in isolated areas

The civilian population in the Central African Republic (CAR) continues to pay a heavy price, in a country ravaged by conflict and subsequent violence for over a decade. Located in the south-east of the Haute-Kotto prefecture, the sub-prefecture of Yalinga, with an estimated population of 10,650 remains one of the most vulnerable and isolated in the country. Yalinga is very difficult to access, where roads exist, and the cellular network does not cover this city located nearly 600 km from Bangui, the capital. Access to basic services such as water and healthcare is very poor, while food insecurity is among the most severe in the country. Most of its residents are spontaneous returnees, having been displaced for years following atrocities committed by armed groups.

Major obstacles to humanitarian access

Difficult to access due to armed groups activities, as well as physically due to the deterioration or absence of roads, particularly during the rainy season (April-October), Yalinga has always faced a worrying humanitarian situation.

Clashes between different armed groups over control of resources are recurrent. The population continues to suffer extortion, illegal taxation and other human rights violations on a daily basis. Humanitarian organizations are also affected by robberies and kidnapping attempts when they try to help the most vulnerable. This was the case in December 2022, when staff from a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) on a mission to install a vaccine conservation system in a health center in the Yalinga region were held hostages by armed men, before being released following negotiations with local authorities. In 2021, a private transporter working for an NGO was robbed, and three months' worth of medicines for the Yalinga Health Center were taken by armed men. The presence of armed groups since 2020 and insecurity have made humanitarian activities and multi-sector assessment missions by road impossible, leading to the temporary withdrawal of humanitarian organizations until April 2023.

For the first time in over three years, a humanitarian mission by road comprising OXFAM, INTERSOS, AURD, BRIA-LONDO, ESPERANCE and the World Food Programme (WFP), under the leadership of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) visited Yalinga from 18 to 22 April 2023. The mission assessed the needs of the population and prepared a response plan covering the period from April to December 2023. Preliminary contacts with authorities and civil society actors in Yalinga and the region helped in identifying and mitigating risks associated with road travel in the area.

Multi-sectoral needs

According to the results of assessments carried out in April 2023, significant needs have been identified in almost all sectors, including protection, health, food security, nutrition, education, water, hygiene and sanitation.

More than 120 protection incidents were documented, including cases of torture, kidnapping, destruction of property and 50 cases of gender-based violence (GBV). The presence of armed groups, unfavorable economic conditions for parents, lack of school infrastructure and qualified teachers have caused over 60 per cent of children to drop out of school. Access to drinking water remains a major challenge for the population, who continue to use water from rivers and traditional wells in the absence of any developed water source. "Our community lives in precarious conditions, and this mission is a ray of hope. We are very happy to see that humanitarian organizations have returned to bring us the help we need", declared Jean-Irénée NGUIMENDE, mayor of Yalinga.

A timely humanitarian response

To meet the urgent needs of the population, the assessment mission was coupled with an initial humanitarian assistance package. With the support of the NGO Bria-Londo, a batch of communications equipment was handed over to the Yalinga authorities for the reinstallation of the VHF radio, which will enable them to communicate with the outside world, in particular on the protection of the residents. No cellular network covers the area.

11 GBV survivors received cash assistance from INTERSOS, in particular to cover their food needs. To mitigate the risks of GBV, which particularly affect girls and women, nine group awareness-raising sessions on GBV issues were organized for around 240 women and girls. 40 vulnerable women and girls with specific needs received hygiene kits from OXFAM. To support children's education, the NGO COOPI distributed teaching kits to six of the 10 schools in the sub-prefecture.

With the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), 300 insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets were distributed and some 5,380 people were sensitized to menstrual hygiene, home water treatment techniques and environmental hygiene. The NGO Bria-Londo trained the Yalinga Peace Committee members in income-generating activities and provided them with micro-project kits to increase the availability of basic necessities in the region, thus supporting food and nutritional security of residents.