Central African Republic
One of the world’s poorest countries, the Central African Republic (CAR) has been plagued with bouts of political turmoil and unrest since it won independence from France in 1960. Since the country’s latest round of violence began in 2013, one in four Central Africans has been forcibly displaced, contributing to a major crisis that has grown in the region.
Following presidential elections in December 2020, the security situation in CAR deteriorated significantly, with increasing violence in much of the country, including the capital, Bangui. The country is currently under a state of emergency and permanent curfew, and remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for humanitarian actors.
International Medical Corps has been providing lifesaving services to internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees and conflict-affected host communities in CAR since 2007, and remains one of the few international organisations with a presence in the country’s troubled northeastern region.
4.7 million
52.8
738,000
The Challenges
Devastated Healthcare System
Approximately 2.8 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
Violence Against Women and Girls
Violent conflict has affected nearly the entire population, with women and children suffering most.
Our Response
Primary Healthcare
Due to ongoing conflict within CAR, International Medical Corps staff members often operate under intense pressure, as teams deliver emergency medical care and conduct surgeries for victims of conflict. Many people have fled their homes and reside in makeshift settlements throughout the country. IDPs, refugees and host populations are extremely vulnerable to malnutrition and disease, as water, sanitation, food and healthcare is limited, if not completely nonexistent. International Medical Corps provides health consultations through all of its supported health centres, hospitals and mobile clinics, and conducts immunisation campaigns in remote villages. To address the severe shortage of maternal and newborn health services, International Medical Corps provides prenatal and postnatal care, and emergency obstetric and neonatal care.
Nutrition
Roughly 1.1 million people require food assistance in CAR. The conflict has greatly affected people’s ability to move freely, which diminishes their ability to grow crops, buy food and access healthcare. In these types of complex conflict situations, vulnerable populations—such as pregnant women and children under 5 years old—often are at an increased risk of acute malnutrition.
International Medical Corps’ nutrition programme includes:
- community mobilisation to increase the understanding, engagement and participation of the target population;
- supplementary feeding programmes;
- an outpatient therapeutic programme for those with severe acute malnutrition; and
- a stabilisation centre for those with severe acute malnutrition with medical complications.
In addition, International Medical Corps conducts surveillance of malnutrition within the most affected communities, to ensure that people receive appropriate and timely treatment.
Protection
Often used as a weapon in the conflict in CAR, violence against women and girls affects their physical, psychological and social health, as well as their families and communities. International Medical Corps conducts training in remote areas, such as the Vakaga and Ouham regions, to raise awareness among community members about such violence, and to advocate for the safety and protection of children and youth. Community leaders, local authorities, healthcare providers and representatives from local women’s associations participate in training programmes on violence and children’s rights. International Medical Corps collaborates with the training participants through the local women’s association to reinforce their capacity and provide refresher training. In addition, the team provides on-site training and supervision to healthcare providers who work directly with survivors of violence. Though cultural and sociopolitical factors in the community are obstacles to reporting violence against women and girls, our teams work to strengthen community awareness of such protection concerns while ensuring that survivors have access to necessary resources.