Central African Republic - Emergency Assistance to Conflict-Affected People - Oxfam Québec 2015

March 2015 - Violence between Christian and Muslim militias in the Central African Republic which erupted following a coup in March 2013 has led to a widespread humanitarian crisis. An estimated 2.7 million people in the country (or 59% of the population) now require humanitarian assistance over 430 000 people remain internally displaced and 460 000 are living in neighbouring countries as refugees. Food insecurity high levels of child malnutrition the spread of water-borne and other diseases and terrible violence and human rights abuses have all become hallmarks of a crisis which the UN has designated as one of its highest priorities for humanitarian response. With support from DFATD Oxfam Québec is meeting the emergency water sanitation food security and protection needs of 64 800 beneficiaries in Bangui Central African Republic. The project supports the sustainable return of people displaced by the conflict improving their access to basic services and livelihood opportunities and enhancing their protection from human rights abuses. Project activities include: (1) rehabilitating 200 wells; (2) cleaning 200 contaminated water sources; (3) distributing vouchers for 1 000 hygiene kits and distributing 1 000 water filters; (4) providing cash grants to 770 vulnerable food-insecure households to support income-generating activities; (5) supporting 30 women’s groups to operate sustainable income-generating activities; and (6) carrying out awareness-raising campaigns to reduce inter-communal and sexual and gender-based violence.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased access to safe drinking water; (2) increased access to hygiene supplies; (3) increased resilience of severely food-insecure people against future shocks; and (4) increased access to assistance aimed at protecting the basic rights of conflict-affected people. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.