Central African Republic - Emergency Nutrition and Protection - Action Against Hunger 2016

March 2016 - Following a coup d’état in March 2013 the humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) deteriorated rapidly as inter-communal violence spun out of control and led to thousands of deaths massive human displacement and grave human rights abuses. Despite a transitional government in place and the presence of international troops including a 10 000-person strong United Nations peacekeeping mission (MINUSCA) communities across CAR continue to be plagued by violence armed criminality and widespread humanitarian needs. At present more than 2.3 million people more than half the population require humanitarian assistance over 480 000 people are internally displaced and 450 000 are living in neighbouring countries as refugees. Widespread insecurity and looting of humanitarian actors are hindering their ability to respond to needs relating to widespread food insecurity high levels of child malnutrition and maternal and child mortality rates among the highest in the world. With GAC’s support Action Against Hunger is improving the health and nutritional status of malnourished children in Bangui and surrounding areas. The project focuses on preventing and treating cases of severe acute malnutrition enhancing nutritional surveillance and referral networks and providing psychosocial assistance benefitting over 104 000 conflict-affected people. Project activities include: (1) screening up to 100 200 children under five years old for malnutrition; (2) providing treatment to over 8 220 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition; (3) providing medical and nutritional supplies and equipment to 18 health structures; (4) providing training for up to 216 health staff and community health workers; and (5) providing psychosocial assistance benefiting close to 3 950 conflict-affected people.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to interventions aimed at preventing identifying and treating severe and moderate acute malnutrition; and (2) increased access to services and 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 crises or acute food insecurity.