Central African Republic

Central African Republic (CAR) remains low on the list of international humanitarian priorities, despite having crippling levels of humanitarian need, persistent political instability at the centre of government and a number of concurrent security and humanitarian crises that have spilled over from neighbouring countries. The UN estimates that 45% of the population of CAR (1.9 million people) will require humanitarian assistance in 2012.

Despite a 2008 peace deal with three rebel groups, and further ceasefires agreed in 2011, insecurity persists in the north-east of the country, as earlier politically motivated conflicts have given way to banditry and criminality, fuelled by a high prevalence of weapons. The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) has intensified its violent attacks on the civilian population since the breakdown of peace talks with the Government of Uganda in late 2007 and has expanded its area of operations from the south-east up into the north-west of the country.

Humanitarian funding to CAR increased significantly after 2006, but the overall levels remain low.