ACTED opened its mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) in 2007 in response to internal violence in the country. ACTED teams are mobilized in Ouham Pendé, Ouaka, Basse Kotto, Mbomou, Haut Mbomou as well as in Bangui to provide emergency relief to the most vulnerable, support displaced populations and to strengthen the resilience of populations and local authorities. Rapid response mechanisms to emergencies are currently deployed in CAR as well as integrated support programming for the sustainable return of displaced persons, and resilience building.
Mission Context
In 2013, the Central African Republic (CAR) faced an unprecedented military and political crisis. Agricultural production in CAR has since fallen and 30% of the population is food insecure. The population has limited access to medical care as well as benefits from poor water and sanitation infrastructure. With dramatic consequences: 2.9 millions of people are ine need for humanitarian aid and 1.8 millions suffer from food insecurity. CAR is ranked second to last in the human development index (HDI).
While the situation has started improving in 2016, late 2017 was unfortunately marked by an upsurge in violence between armed groups in the North and South of the country. Conflict- affected populations usually flee towards areas deemed safe, where they stay until the situation stabilizes, with waiting time that can be anywhere from a few days to, in some cases, a few years. These safe areas are often rural regions with limited facilities to support displaced populations.
In July 2019, approximately 595000 persons were internally displaced in CAR. The regular tensions increase the already important needs of local communities. Access to shelter, water, hygiene, sanitation and education as well as food security and livelihood issues are daily challenges for these populations. In addition, an Ebola epidemy broke out and is finally officially recognist by the World Health Organization.
ACTED in the Central African Republic
ACTED has been present in the CAR since 2007, implementing programs that not only respond to the country’s humanitarian emergencies, but also provide support to communities and the local authorities in initiating long-term sustainable development. The NGO is mobilized throughout 6 provinces : Ouham Pendé, Ouaka, Basse Kotto, Mbomou, Haut Mbomou and Bangui.
ACTED’s programme strategy in CAR is based on the following 3 approaches:
- Rapid response to emergencies: In areas affected by humanitarian emergencies or risks of crisis, ACTED provides emergency assistance to communities with water, hygiene, sanitation, emergency shelter and relief goods, food items and basic services.
- Integrated support for the sustainable return of displaced persons: ACTED supports households in the process of returning to their homes and guides them throughout the rebuilding process. This support is paired with activities that help rebuild trust within the community and strengthen local actors to reduce the risk of new inter-community tensions or displacements.
- Building resilience and supporting development: ACTED aims to improve the economic situation in communities at household and community levels. In areas that are stable enough to allow for long-term interventions, ACTED supports vulnerable households through cash-for-work opportunities, increasing their purchasing power and expanding their food, health care as well as education options. ACTED teams also work alongside local businesses and economic actors to strengthen their technical and entrepreneurial skills.
Relance Eco Acted
ACTED staff visits a local sculptor and beneficiary of an economic recovery project in Bangui (2018)
Current projects
Bangui, plans for future
©Gwenn Dubourthoumieu for ACTED CAR
The members of the NGO "Women Moumine of Central Africa" are posing in front of their workshop located in the Yassara district of Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, on January 27, 2018. They manufacture and sell soap, and benefit from the economic revival program set up by the NGO ACTED to help economic actors and revitalize neighborhoods affected by violence between Christian and Muslim communities since 2013.
©Gwenn Dubourthoumieu for ACTED CAR
Stéphane Madiko, president of the « Groupement des Jeunes Menuisiers du Quartier Sara Blagué » is working in his workshop in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, on January 27, 2018. He benefits from the economic revival program set up by the NGO ACTED to help economic actors and revitalize neighborhoods affected by violence between Christian and Muslim communities since 2013.
©Gwenn Dubourthoumieu for ACTED CAR
René Ngassa, owner of the Modern Brickworks of Central Africa (BMC), is posing in his company located in the Banga 1 district of Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, on January 27, 2018. He benefits from the economic recovery program set up by the ACTED NGO to help economic actors and revitalize the neighborhoods affected by violence between Christian and Muslim communities since 2013. "Thanks to ACTED, my business works better. My production has increased by 50%: from 10 bags of cement a day, I went to 15! Previously, I was driving my company at sight. From now on, I hold an accurate bookkeeping ".
©Gwenn Dubourthoumieu for ACTED CAR
Cyril Yamengue (L) and Juvenal Simago (R), members of the Leather Crafts Association in Central Africa, are working in their workshop located in the Bandagbi district of Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, on January 27, 2018. They benefit from the economic revival program set up by the NGO ACTED to help economic actors and revitalize neighborhoods affected by violence between Christian and Muslim communities since 2013.
©Gwenn Dubourthoumieu for ACTED CAR
A woman is drawing water from a well built by the humanitarian NGO ACTED in the "citée Dameka" neighborhood of Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, on January 27, 2018. This district, like many others, had been completely destroyed and emptied of these inhabitants in December 2013 during clashes between Christian and Muslim communities.
©Gwenn Dubourthoumieu for ACTED CAR
Jules Ngama, 40, is rebuilding a house, with the help of an ACTED employee, in the "citée Dameka", a district of Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, on January 27, 2018. "I am a mason and I rebuilt my house thanks to ACTED. On December 5, 2013, my house was destroyed, I left everything behind me and lost everything. Having no weapons to defend myself, I just had time to gather my wife and my 5 children. For 3 years, we survived thanks to the help of NGOs in an IDP camp near the airport. In 2016, ACTED gave me all the equipment I had lost, needed to rebuild my house, and I was finally able to come back home. Since then, I work as a mason for ACTED, and I help my neighbors rebuild their homes. Last year, I built 15 houses, and this year it is the 4th”
©Gwenn Dubourthoumieu for ACTED CAR
ACTED employees are speaking with a beneficiary of their reconstruction program in the district "citée Dameka" of Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, on January 27, 2018. This neighborhood, like many others, was completely destroyed and emptied of these inhabitants in December 2013 during clashes between Christian and Muslim communities. ACTED has been helping residents of these neighborhoods rebuild their homes since January 2015.
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