Central African Republic Crisis - Child Protection and Health - Save the Children Canada 2014

February 2014 - Since December 2012 all 4.6 million people living in the Central African Republic (CAR) have been affected by ongoing conflict and insecurity. Over the past year fighting between armed groups and increasing vigilante violence have taken an immense toll on civilians and escalated humanitarian needs. Agricultural production has been disrupted and essential basic services such as schools and medical facilities have been shut down or destroyed in the fighting. There are widespread and increasing reports of looting extortion arbitrary arrests torture summary executions sexual violence and recruitment of children by roving bands of armed groups across the country. With DFATD’s support Save the Children Canada is providing integrated health nutrition and child protection assistance to vulnerable children and families in the Nana Grebizi district Central African Republic benefitting an estimated 39 653 people. Activities include: (1) establishing four child-friendly spaces to provide psychological support to 1 600 children; (2) developing a child protection case management system and supporting community-based child protection networks; (3) supporting nine health facilities to provide primary health care services to 37 773 people including through the provision of essential medicines and vaccines; and (4) supporting services to identify treat and prevent severe acute malnutrition benefitting 6 535 children under the age of five.

The expected immediate outcomes include: (1) increased access to services and assistance for vulnerable children and youth aimed at protecting their basic rights; (2) increased access to basic health care services for vulnerable people; and (3) increased access to interventions aimed at preventing identifying and treating severe acute malnutrition among children. The expected intermediate outcome is reduced vulnerability of crisis-affected people especially women and children.