Sida's work in Central African Republic
Providing people with shelter and health care is a key task of Sida's humanitarian work in the Central African Republic. Water, sanitation and food are also important areas. The population is severely affected by conflict, political instability, climate disasters, hunger and gender-based violence. The crisis has been going on for decades.
The humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic
The conflict in the Central African Republic has been going on since independence from France in 1960 and worsened after the last coup in 2013. Hopes for peace were raised when a new peace agreement was signed between the government and 14 armed groups in 2019, but violence has continued.
Civilians are subjected to abuse, intimidation and looting by both government and opposition forces.
More than 3 million people (63 % of the population) are in need of humanitarian assistance, with around half of the population estimated to lack safe access to food. The percentage of people in urgent need is increasing.1
Sexual and gender-based violence, mainly against women and girls, is a widespread problem and has increased.
How Sida supports the Central African Republic
Providing people with shelter and health care is central to Sida’s humanitarian work in the Central African Republic. As well as water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter, supplies, education and food, and supporting the fight against sexual and gender-based violence. Priority groups are vulnerable children, internally displaced people and people with disabilities. Support is also provided to Central African refugees in Niger. Here is a selection of the programmes we support.
Supporting children and women
Action Against Hunger (AAH) is supporting people in the hard-hit Basse-Kotto region, among others, where almost the entire population needs humanitarian assistance. The focus is on health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene. The target group is mainly children under five and women aged 15-49, with a special focus on pregnant and lactating women.
Broad support for civilians
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provides assistance to civilians who are detained, injured or ill. This assistance can include food, supplies, nutrition, agricultural support, livestock vaccinations, water, shelter, health care and employment opportunities.
Humanitarian aid for internally displaced persons
The Norwegian Refugee Committee (NRC) provides humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable people who have been forced to flee their homes. The support includes water and sanitation, shelter, education, food, agricultural support, legal aid and protection.
Support for families with children who have fled to Niger
UN’s Children Fund (UNICEF) works to provide children and their families affected by conflict and disaster with access to water, sanitation, food, education, health and protection services. Support is provided to refugees from the Central African Republic in Niger.
Sida's Crisis Analysis
Sources on this page
Updated: October 5, 2022