Doctors Without Borders

Published purpose

The humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR) is the result of more than a decade of internal conflict and growing criminal violence. Bandits continue to take advantage of the absence of the state in many parts of the country, and attack travelers or entire villages. One million people in the CAR, including 197,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), now rely on international assistance to meet their basic needs. Key humanitarian needs include food; clean water and sanitation services; emergency medical care; nutritional support; and shelter. Canadian support of Doctors Without Borders in the Central African Republic is helping it to meet the emergency medical needs of populations affected by conflict and insecurity. Activities include: treatment of common diseases, including malaria; responding to obstetrical emergencies; managing emergency surgery; caring for sexual-violence victims; and providing the capacity to respond to potential spikes in endemic diseases (malaria, respiratory tract infections).