ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross

Published purpose

31 December 2010 - Conflict between armed groups and government forces, and deliberate attacks on civilians by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), heightened in northeastern Central African Republic (CAR) in 2010. Civilians suffer a range of human rights abuses, including killings, the looting and burning of villages, destruction of fields, loss of livelihoods, sexual violence and the abduction and forced recruitment of children. Many displaced populations are living in the forest without access to primary health care, clean water and other basic needs. Widespread poverty, rising food prices and a continuous decline in agricultural production have also had a serious impact on health and nutrition. The UN estimates that 1.6 million people out of a national population of 4 million require humanitarian assistance. With CIDA support, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is providing basic life-saving assistance to conflict-affected populations in the Central African Republic. Activities include: providing food assistance and health and medical care; distributing essential household items; rehabilitating water and sanitation systems; and providing conflict-affected populations with the means to become self-sufficient, such as through the provision of seeds, tools and training and equipment. Activities also focus on promoting respect for International Humanitarian Law with authorities, armed forces, weapons bearers and other stakeholders; and helping civilians to overcome the worst consequences of armed conflict.