A survey conducted in the northern part of CAR shows that the entire population is in dire need of humanitarian aid after years of political instability and unrest. The survey shows a population suffering from lack of adequate health service, food and security.

The Danish Refugee Council with its local partner ECHELLE conducted an IDP profiling in the northern part of CAR. The aim of the profiling was to get an accurate and comprehensive view of living conditions and needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in comparison to the host population (non-displaced).

Data collection and focus group discussions were carried out in May around the town of Ndele, 700km from the capital Bangui. Here conflict and insecurity has meant that access to the population has been very difficult and humanitarian actors have had to shut down their operations for longer periods. This means that the conflict-affected populations have had to survive under extremely difficult circumstances as access to humanitarian help has been almost non-existing.

The main finding of the profiling was that internally displaced persons and non-displaced persons are equally affected and in need of assistance.

During the first half of 2011, one in five families had lost a family member, mainly due to insecurity and difficult living conditions. There is a lack of food, adequate health services, water and sanitation.

Another alarming issue concerns the children, who do not have access to education. The survey shows that over 50% of the school aged children between 5 and 15 years are not enrolled in schools.

“This survey has been vital in understanding the most urgent needs of the civilians, displaced and non-displaced, living in the region. We now have a confirmation that the entire population suffers from the conflict regardless of displacement and we are working on improving the conditions and the safety for both IDPs and non-displaced,” says Line Brylle, Head of Desk for DRC's Programmes in CAR.

The findings of the survey have been disseminated and shared in order for other humanitarian actors in CAR to be able to provide protection and adequate assistance to these populations. It is hoped that the dissemination of the report will provoke greater assistance to CAR, which suffers from neglect despite immense needs.

DRC has had a field office in Ndele since 2008 and is working in emergency education, water and sanitation activities and protection in the areas surrounding Ndele. DRC has worked in CAR since 2007.

The profiling was carried out by DRC in partnership with ECHELLE, with technical support from Joint IDP Profiling Service (JIPS) and under, Central Emergengy Response Fund administered by UNHCR.

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