Central African Republic - Emergency Assistance in Mbomou - ACTED 2019

February 2019 - After a brief period of calm in 2016 the Central African Republic (CAR) situation started to deteriorate at an alarming rate in 2017. This trend continued through 2018 which saw a spike in attacks against peacekeepers and civilians mass looting widespread banditry and territorial conflicts between armed groups. The crisis in CAR is in essence a protection crisis with violence against civilians particularly women and girls and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV cases) commonplace. Approximately 40% of the population is food insecure and only 54% of the population has access to clean water. Regular violence across 80% of the country that armed groups control continues to exacerbate displacement. One-quarter of the country's population is displaced either internally or as refugees in neighbouring countries. With GAC's support the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) provides assistance to address the urgent needs of up to 45 125 conflict-affected people in Mbomou prefecture CAR. This project focuses on nutrition and increasing access to safe drinking water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in and around health and nutrition facilities. Project activities include: (1) constructing or rehabilitating up to seven water points; (2) training 50 health professionals on identifying and treating children suffering from severe acute malnutrition; and (3) adapting water sanitation and hygiene infrastructure in seven communities to support gender-responsive nutrition responses.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access for the most vulnerable populations to safe drinking water sanitation facilities and hygiene supplies; and (2) improved therapeutic support for those suffering from severe acute malnutrition. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in Mbomou CAR.