February 2014 - Since December 2012, all 4.6 million people living in the Central African Republic (CAR) have been affected by ongoing conflict and insecurity. Over the past year, fighting between armed groups and increasing vigilante violence have taken an immense toll on civilians and escalated humanitarian needs. Agricultural production has been disrupted and essential basic services, such as schools and medical facilities, have been shut down or destroyed in the fighting. There are widespread and increasing reports of looting, extortion, arbitrary arrests, torture, summary executions, sexual violence, and recruitment of children by roving bands of armed groups across the country. With DFATD’s support, Save the Children Canada is providing integrated health, nutrition, and child protection assistance to vulnerable children and families in the Nana Grebizi district, Central African Republic, benefitting an estimated 39,653 people. Activities include: (1) establishing four child-friendly spaces to provide psychological support to 1,600 children; (2) developing a child protection case management system and supporting community-based child protection networks; (3) supporting nine health facilities to provide primary health care services to 37,773 people, including through the provision of essential medicines and vaccines; and (4) supporting services to identify, treat, and prevent severe acute malnutrition, benefitting 6,535 children under the age of five.
