March 2015 - Violence between Christian and Muslim militias in the Central African Republic (CAR), which erupted following a coup in March 2013, has led to a widespread humanitarian crisis. An estimated 2.7 million people in the country (or 59% of the population) now require humanitarian assistance, over 430,000 people remain internally displaced, and 460,000 are living in neighbouring countries as refugees. Food insecurity, high levels of child malnutrition, the spread of water-borne and other diseases, and terrible violence and human rights abuses have all become hallmarks of a crisis which the UN has designated as one of its highest priorities for humanitarian response. With DFATD’s support, Doctors Without Borders Canada is helping to meet the basic health needs of up to 800,000 conflict-affected Central Africans in Bangui and in Ouham Province. Through its support to local hospitals and health facilities, Doctors Without Borders Canada is supporting conflict-affected communities to access quality essential healthcare. Project activities include: (1) providing primary health care, including treatment for malnutrition and vaccinations, as well as secondary health care, including in-patient care, for up to 800,000 people; (2) screening up to 65,000 children for malnutrition; (3) performing up to 1,145 surgeries; (4) diagnosing and treating up to 305,000 cases of malaria; and (5) distributing up to 20,000 insecticide-treated bed-nets.
