30 years of underdevelopment and instability in the Central African Republic (CAR) have resulted in a highly unstable environment and massive internal displacement. The country is one of the poorest in the world and armed conflict, brutal banditry and the destruction of health centres, schools, infrastructure and houses have only worsened the situation. Around 1 million people are affected by the conflict, including 176,000 who are internally displaced. Most of the internally displaced persons are concentrated in the northern part of CAR.
Northern CAR has been plagued by violent clashes between numerous rebel groups and government troops. In some areas, most of the population has been forced to flee, often more than once. In late 2008, a peace process led to a truce between most, though not all, of the warring parties. In the relative safety offered by the peace process and the presence of DRC and other international NGOs, many people are now returning, only to find their livelihoods destroyed. In areas of north-central CAR, close to the border with Chad, strife and attacks continue, and many remain in forced displacement. Moreover, the south-east of the country is now being ravaged by incursions by the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army.
DRC’s work in Central African Republic
In 2007, following a request from the UN, DRC started working with internally displaced persons and host communities in CAR. DRC first started to operate in Paoua in the north-western district of Ouham-Pendé and has since expanded its operations to the districts Ouham and Bamingui-Bangoran in northern CAR. Click on the link below for a map of some of DRC’s key activities in CAR.
The focus of DRC’s operations in CAR is to provide protection to the conflict-affected and displaced populations on the basis of human rights and humanitarian principles, to strengthen the population’s self-reliance capacities through economic and social recovery initiatives, and to strengthen the institutional framework which these relief and recovery activities take place in.
Protection and emergency response
DRC is one of the largest protection NGOs in CAR, providing legal and social assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable groups. One of the crucial protection measures in CAR taken by DRC is basic field presence: international humanitarian organisations that are present and able to monitor and report on human rights violations reduces the likelihood of rights violations. Consequently, DRC aims to be increasingly present through offices and visits in its areas of operation. In order to identify the displaced people’s protection needs and capacities for self-protection and facilitate their return to their home areas, DRC undertakes a range of profiling activities of IDPs and other vulnerable groups.
DRC supports children associated with armed groups to demobilise and reintegrate them into their communities and to help them find educational and employment opportunities. A specific effort is made to promote emergency education for displaced and conflict affected children in the Ouham district, benefiting around 60 so-called bush schools. DRC moreover supports legal clinics which offer counsel and training on human rights and facilitate access to justice, particularly for women and girls. DRC also assists persons accused of witchcraft with legal aid and awareness raising.
Food security and livelihood support
Most of the communities affected by conflict depend completely on agriculture and livestock for sustenance. Their livelihoods have been severely affected due to burning or looting of tools and livestock and they are only able to cultivate a very limited piece of land. DRC provides support to households in order for them to improve and diversify their production. Special attention is paid to women as they play a key role in food production. This is done by providing seeds and tools, by introducing diversified cropping, through regular trainings, and by helping isolated farmer groups to establish associations according to production (e.g. of pine nuts, maize, or cassava) and introducing them into the local markets. Furthermore, DRC supports the development of income generating activities among women and youth, such as soap production, knitting, food processing, small business and carpentry. This is a comprehensive approach that integrates access to financial services in the form of savings groups, literacy training, and improved access to energy.
Community and institutional development
DRC aims to develop the ability of the communities to protect themselves. All DRC’s activities aim to enhance people’s participation and empowerment through trainings and capacity building. Focus areas are enhancing the communities’ conflict resolution mechanisms, providing training on rights and facilitating the development of community priorities and action plans to ensure the greatest relevance and local ownership.
Local authorities and government institutions are primary responsible for ensuring the respect for the rights of IDPs and they are thus essential partners for DRC. DRC engages with local authorities with activities such as training on human rights and other legal standards, and building capabilities in relevant legal, social and governance institutions with the ultimate goal of promoting protection and durable solutions for IDPs. DRC also engages with authorities and other actors to raise awareness of the plight and rights of displaced people in CAR and promote appropriate and sustainable policies.
