Project profile — Central African Republic - Common Humanitarian Fund - UNDP 2017

March 2017 - Since internal conflict erupted in March 2013, the humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) deteriorated rapidly, as inter-communal violence spun out of control and led to thousands of deaths, massive human displacement, and grave human rights abuses. Elections in March 2016 saw the introduction of a new President in CAR that brought a welcome yet short lived calm to the country. Despite the presence of a United Nations peacekeeping mission (MINUSCA), communities across CAR continue to be plagued by violence, armed criminality, and widespread humanitarian needs. Violence flared up again in the fall of 2016 after the head of the armed forces was assassinated in the capital. At present, more than 2.2 million people, more than half the population, require humanitarian assistance, over 434,000 people are internally displaced, and over 462,000 are living in neighbouring countries as refugees. High levels of instability and looting are hindering partners’ ability to respond to needs relating to widespread food insecurity, high levels of child malnutrition, and high maternal and child mortality rates. GAC and other donors are providing funding to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the Central African Republic Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF). This Fund provides timely allocations to national and international NGOs as well as UN agencies to address some of the most critical humanitarian needs in CAR. The CHF’s main objectives include: (1) supporting timely responses to sudden crises and critical gaps in humanitarian operations; (2) supporting the transportation of humanitarian supplies and personnel as well as improved communications and storage capacity; and (3) capacity-building for national non-governmental organizations, equipping them with strengthened financial and management tools to implement humanitarian responses.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access for the most vulnerable to life-saving humanitarian assistance (e.g. food, nutrition, health, protection, shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene support); (2) increased capacity of the humanitarian system to respond to urgent needs; and (3) increased capacity among national humanitarian organizations to effectively respond to urgent needs. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved, suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.

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