Central African Republic

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Located rights at the heart of the African continent, the Central African Republic has suffered from more than a decade of armed conflict and rebellion.  The worst affected regions are located in the northeast and northwest of the country where rebel forces and government troops frequently clash.  In addition “coupeur de routes” or bandits roam freely across the northwest of the country, looting property and kidnapping children.  The resulting mass displacement and the complete decimation of public infrastructure, combined with the overspill from the Chad and Darfur conflicts, is having a huge impact on the country’s women and children. It is estimated that one million people have already been affected by the violence. 

At least 197,000 people have been displaced internally, many of whom are living in the bush without access to basic services. Chronic poverty combined with the ongoing instability means that, despite improvements over the past year, CAR continues to have some of the continent’s worst child survival indicators.

The security situation also means that humanitarian access remains both difficult and dangerous. UNICEF is continuing to expand their field offices in Bossangoa and Kaga Bandoro in an effort to reach more CAR’s vulnerable women and children. 

Issues Facing the Children of the Central African Republic

• One in five children dies before their fifth birthday.
  • One third of the population completely lack access to safe water and sanitation, meaning infectious disease is common, particularly amongst displaced populations.
  • At 6.2%, the country has one of the region’s highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates.  The country also has an estimated 240,000 HIV/AIDS orphans.
  • 67% of the population live on less than a dollar a day, leaving many families unable to meet their children’s basic needs.
  • Malnutrition remains a serious problem with 38% of the country’s children suffering from Global Chronic Malnutrition and 10% suffering from Global Acute Malnutrition.
  • Just 51% of children enrol in primary school.  In the conflict affected regions, more than 75% remain out of school. 
  • The use of child soldiers remains prevalent, particularly in the northwest.
  • Coupeur de Routes are responsible for causing widespread terror; attacking villages, destroying homes, kidnapping parents and children

Activities and Results for Children

• UNICEF is committed to providing three National Child Survival Day campaigns per year, delivering high impact health packages to women and children across the country.  In September 2007;
  • 115,000 children aged 12-59 months and 11,000 pregnant women received de-worming treatment
  • 60,000 children aged 12-59 months and 4,000 lactating mothers received Vitamin-A supplementation
  • 13,000 babies received DPT3 vaccines
  • 20,000 children received measles vaccines

• UNICEF is supporting the treatment of severely malnourished children across the country; 
  • Approximately 200 children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) are treated per month at the Therapeutic Feeding Unit (TFU) in the country’s capital, Bangui
  • A total of 400 children receive treatment in Ouadda Djalle (northeastern CAR) and Bossangoa (northwestern CAR)