Number of people served: 17,365 in 2020

Since 2013, hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes due to violence and civil unrest in the Central African Republic (CAR). Emergency efforts in CAR have been poorly funded and many refugees and IDPs have lacked even basic assistance – food, health care, shelter, and water. The increase in population in the return areas has put major pressure on reception capacity and basic social services. Protection, school construction or rehabilitation, peaceful cohabitation, support for young people and livelihoods, are needed and identified as priorities. Women and children are at the most risk of abuse, recruitment, and exploitation by armed groups in this context.

There is little access to education for the thousands of children who have been displaced, and many haven’t attended school since the closure of educational centers in early 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

In 2021, 2.8 million Central Africans – more than half of the population – will need humanitarian assistance and protection, particularly in the fields of education (1.3 million children), protection, and food security (2.3 million people in the lean season).

In addition, there is unrest from the establishment and rebellion of a coalition of armed groups leading the presidential and legislative elections that took place in December 2020.