Action Against Hunger

Published purpose

March 2015 - Violence between Christian and Muslim militias in the Central African Republic, which erupted following a coup in March 2013, has led to a widespread humanitarian crisis. An estimated 2.7 million people in the country (or 59% of the population) now require humanitarian assistance, over 430,000 people remain internally displaced, and 460,000 are living in neighbouring countries as refugees. Food insecurity, high levels of child malnutrition, the spread of water-borne and other diseases, and terrible violence and human rights abuses have all become hallmarks of a crisis which the UN has designated as one of its highest priorities for humanitarian response. With DFATD’s support, Action Against Hunger Canada is improving the health and nutritional status of malnourished children in Bangui and surrounding areas. The project focuses on preventing and treating cases of severe acute malnutrition, enhancing nutritional surveillance and referral networks, and providing psychosocial assistance, benefitting over 109,000 conflict-affected people. Project activities include: (1) screening 96,000 children under 5 years old for malnutrition; (2) providing treatment to over 4,900 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition; (3) providing medical and nutritional supplies and equipment to 15 health structures; (4) training staff at 15 health structures; and (5) providing psychosocial assistance, benefiting close to 3,850 conflict-affected people.