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Central African Republic has been described by the United Nations High Commissioner as "the most neglected crisis in the world."
CAR is one of the poorest countries in the world. It is large, landlocked and sparsely populated, with declining socio-economic indicators. Sadly, because its population is small and the country ranks low on the development agenda of the international community, the problems of the Central African Republic have long been neglected.
The statistics are sobering. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ranked CAR 179 out of 187 countries on its 2011 Human Development Index. Two-thirds of the population lives on less than $1 per day. In just two decades (1988 to 2008), life expectancy decreased– from an already brief 49 years to an even shorter 47.7 years as of 2010.
Mercy Corps Programmes Meet Basic Needs, Lay a Stronger Foundation for the Future
Mercy Corps is helping the people of the Central African Republic to improve their food security, gain access to clean water and safe sanitation and adopt healthy hygiene practices. We are also working to reinforce good governance and expand economic opportunities for both men and women so people can support their families.
Mercy Corps is one of the few organisations currently working in CAR that focuses on
development rather than humanitarian assistance. With a head office in the capital, Bangui, and sub-offices located in Bouar, Bambari, Bangassou and Rafai, Mercy Corps is able to provide assistance to a large segment of the CAR population.
Improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Mercy Corps’ water, sanitation and hygiene programme emphasizes the development and management of infrastructure as well as hygiene education campaigns.
We have rehabilitated traditional wells, installed boreholes, repaired pumps, constructed a water reservoir and improved springs that provide clean water to more than 100,000 people. We have organised and supported water management committees that are run by community representatives who maintain and manage water points to ensure that they remain operational. To date, our hygiene education campaigns have reached 110,000 people.
Empowering Women, Raising Awareness
Mercy Corps works with 80 women’s associations, boosting skills in organisational decision-making, financial management and project planning while supporting economic and social projects. We lead awareness-raising campaigns on women’s political, social and economic rights and help sensitize community members to violence against women using interactive radio programming and other tools.
In response to widespread violence against women, we work with the Association of Women Lawyers to operate four legal centers where survivors of violence and rights abuses receive psycho-social support, medical references, legal assistance and livelihoods support to promote their rehabilitation.
Mercy Corps is working to improve women's access to quality sexual and reproductive health education and services in the area of Bangassou. Mercy Corps works with both men and women within the target communities to build the knowledge and tools they need to make informed choices about their reproductive health and to negotiate safe and responsible sexual practices.
Agriculture and Food Security
In order to alleviate the effects of the global food crisis and increasing food prices, Mercy Corps is conducting an extensive food security programme. We work with 60 agricultural groups to strengthen their basic livelihoods and promote their access to transport, quality seeds and credit.
We also provide farmers with agricultural inputs, such as seeds and tools, and provide technical support – including training on farming techniques – to increase productivity, reduce post-harvest crop losses and improve marketing strategies. By using more efficient agricultural technologies, highly productive seeds and better tools, farmers increase their production of staple foods such as maize, peanuts and manioc, while at the same time increasing production of more profitable products such as potatoes, onions and vegetables that bring much-needed income to their families.
Human Rights and Good Governance
Mercy Corps is working with the Central African Human Rights Observatory (OCDH) to promote good governance and respect for human rights in Central African Republic. These efforts support the inclusive, effective and responsible engagement of the population, civil society and authorities in local and national decision-making.
Our activities are improving the ability of civil society organisations to monitor and effectively confront human rights violations and to engage with the government to create institutional change. And, we’re encouraging men, women and youth to engage in local political processes.
Reducing Harm On A Dangerous Road
The construction of a road linking CAR with Cameroon, while beneficial in many ways, has also increased the risk of harm to vulnerable people. With improved access comes greater likelihood of prostitution, the transmission of sexual diseases, the risk of fatal accidents and negative environmental impacts.
Mercy Corps is working to reduce the vulnerability of people who live along this route – especially women and youth – by teaching road users and the local population how to protect themselves from sexual exploitation and the transmission on sexually transmitted diseases. Our project trains community members in HIV/AIDS prevention and responsible sexual behaviour, and uses sports activities to convey those messages to young people.
We seek to reduce future incidents of road accidents by sensitizing people who will use the road about the risks greater vehicle traffic will bring. To minimize harmful environmental practices, such as brush fires, litter and environmental pollution, we are engaging young people, local residents and road users in awareness-raising campaigns.
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