ReliefWeb

1. SUMMARY

The Central African Republic (CAR) has suffered from repeated armed conflict over the past decade. CAR remains one of the poorest countries with some of the lowest socio-economic indicators despite its economic potential and vast wealth of natural resources.

With a population of 4.6 million (approximately seven inhabitants per km2 ) and an annual population growth rate of 1.8% CAR continues to face development challenges and unprecedented politicomilitary instability.

On 10 December 2012, a coalition of three rebel groups (Union des Forces Démocratiques pour le Rassemblement / UFDR, Convention des Patriotes pour la Justice et la Paix / CPJP and Convention Patriotique pour le Salut Wa Kodro), calling itself the Seleka Coalition, launched an offensive from Ndélé towards the capital Bangui. On 24 March, Seleka took control of the country and Michel Djotodia appointed himself as president. Two transitional governments have been named since the seizure of power in March.

These offensives have brought the perpetration of general acts of violence against the civilian population, destruction or weakening of peoples‘ livelihoods, and looting and destruction of humanitarian offices and stores. Basic services were destabilized or destroyed with a significant impact on people's access to essential and basic needs (access to clean water, basic necessities, access to primary health care and education). Grave violations against the civilian population continue, while the political and security situation remains fragile and unpredictable. Arrests and executions continue to take place with total impunity and there has been a resurgence of criminal activity especially in Bangui. Communities‘ vulnerability has deteriorated across the country. The crisis affects directly or indirectly the entire CAR population of 4.6 million people. 1.6 million people are considered the most vulnerable and targeted for humanitarian response.

Since December 2012, the crisis has led to massive displacement of populations throughout the country. The estimated number of internally displaced people is 206,000. Furthermore 54,987 people have sought refuge in neighbouring countries since the beginning of the crisis. More than 204,000 Central African refugees are hosted in the neighbouring countries of Chad, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) and South Sudan.

The security situation in the country remains volatile and unpredictable, rendering humanitarian access challenging and limiting response in some parts of the country. Despite persistent insecurity, some organizations have maintained their activities and others are resuming activities as the security situation permits. The United Nations is facilitating access negotiations with Seleka authorities outside Bangui, enabling humanitarian actors to assist people affected by the crisis and promoting a gradual return to the provinces. Humanitarian access is vital to ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable and affected groups are identified and met.

The consolidated appeal remains focused on two strategic objectives:

 Providing immediate integrated life-saving assistance to people affected by the conflict and promoting respect for fundamental human rights.

 Stabilizing and prevent the deterioration of the resilience capacity of vulnerable people and support their empowerment.

The humanitarian strategy for the remainder of 2013 focuses on lifesaving assistance to vulnerable people in all sectors and anticipates sustained actions to reinforce community resilience. This integrated approach implies a coordinated and targeted multi-sector response package to maximize the impact of humanitarian aid. The assessments thus far reveal enormous needs in all sectors; priority intervention areas are protection, food security and health, with a particular geographic focus on the north, north-west, and east of the country.

The mid-year review of the 2013 Consolidated Appeal presents revised and updated requirements based on assessments carried out through the rapid response mechanism (RRM) or by clusters or individual organizations. The revised requirement is US$195,136,527 for 170 projects, amounting to an increase of 51% of initial requirements. 1 As of 9 July, $59,162,655 has been received, leaving $136 million of unmet requirements.

The humanitarian Country Team HCT therefore urges donors to fund the 2013 Consolidated Appeal to enable humanitarian partners to address the basic needs of 1.6 million vulnerable people.