Central African Republic – Emergency Health Care – Doctors without Borders 2014

March 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 Doctors Without Borders is addressing the urgent medical needs of up to 181 000 vulnerable people in Ouham region. Activities include: (1) providing quality primary emergency healthcare including vaccinations and treatment of severe acute malnutrition; (2) providing quality secondary emergency healthcare including war surgery and emergency obstetric interventions; (3) improving case management of malaria through appropriate detection and treatment in both primary and secondary health centres; and (4) providing emergency household items to people affected by sudden displacement or disease outbreaks.

The expected immediate outcome for this project include: (1) increased access to basic emergency healthcare for vulnerable people; and (2) increased access to urgently required household items for conflict-affected people. The expected intermediate outcome is reduced vulnerability of crisis-affected people especially women and children.