Central African Republic - Community-Based Nutrition and Health Assistance - World Vision 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 DFATD’s support World Vision Canada is helping treat and prevent acute malnutrition in children benefiting up to 58 000 vulnerable people. It is building local capacity to treat and prevent acute malnutrition through direct support for treatment nutrition education strengthening nutrition surveillance systems and supporting referral systems for other childhood diseases. Project activities include: (1) training 260 community health workers in community-based treatment protocols; (2) treating 1 300 pregnant and lactating women and 6 000 children for moderate acute malnutrition and severe acute malnutrition; (3) training 260 community health workers and 1 300 community volunteers in nutrition education topics; (4) supporting 260 community health workers to provide basic medical treatment to children and refer more complicated cases to health facilities; and (5) carrying out community mobilization and awareness campaigns around malnutrition and basic health benefiting 39 150 children.

Expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to interventions aimed at preventing identifying and treating cases of severe and moderate acute malnutrition; and (2) increased access to basic health care. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.