L'UE offre une nouvelle aide pour la Centrafrique

COMMISSION EUROPÉENNE

Communiqué de presse

Bruxelles, le 13 mars 2014

Le commissaire européen annonce une nouvelle aide en faveur de la République centrafricaine à l'occasion d'une visite à haut niveau

M. Andris Piebalgs, commissaire européen au développement, annoncera aujourd’hui l'octroi, par l’UE, d'une nouvelle aide de 81 millions € à la République centrafricaine, à l'occasion d'une visite conjointe avec M. Pascal Canfin, ministre français du développement, et M. Gerd Müller, ministre allemand de la coopération.

Ce montant, qui constitue un renforcement important de l’aide accordée au pays par l’UE, contribuera à rétablir les services sociaux de base et les moyens de subsistance, en particulier dans les domaines de l’éducation (par exemple pour aider au redémarrage des écoles fermées en raison du conflit), de la santé (pour remettre en état et rééquiper les centres de santé) et de la sécurité alimentaire et de la nutrition (pour assurer la continuité de l’agriculture, par exemple en fournissant des semences).

Avant son départ, le commissaire Piebalgs s'est exprimé en ces termes: «La République centrafricaine et ses citoyens font face à des défis sans précédent et, plus que jamais, nous devons agir maintenant pour jeter les bases de la stabilité et du développement futur.

Voilà pourquoi nous sommes déterminés à soutenir le nouveau chef de l’État dans sa volonté de rétablir la sécurité et la paix dans le pays. Le conflit n’est pas résolu, mais nous ne pouvons pas nous permettre de perdre de vue nos objectifs de développement économique et social du pays à long terme; pour ce faire, il faut commencer par répondre aux besoins fondamentaux de la population. Le développement est essentiel pour la stabilité et c’est pour cette raison que nous continuons à lui donner notre plein appui».

Programme du commissaire Piebalgs

Au cours de sa visite en République centrafricaine, le commissaire Piebalgs rencontrera Mme Catherine Samba‑Panza, nouveau chef de l’État de transition. Il se rendra aussi auprès de l’Autorité nationale pour les élections, dont il rencontrera les membres. Ensemble, ils discuteront des plans relatifs à la préparation des élections.

Le commissaire se rendra également sur les sites où des programmes dans les domaines de la santé et de l'aide alimentaire ainsi que des activités rémunérées ("argent contre travail") sont mis en œuvre. Il fera un déplacement au palais de justice et rencontrera des représentants de la société civile. M. Erik Solheim, président du Comité d'aide au développement (CAD) de l'Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques (OCDE) prendra aussi part à cette mission conjointe.

Historique

Le nouveau financement annoncé aujourd’hui s’inscrit dans le droit fil de l’approche de la Commission consistant à établir un lien entre l'aide d'urgence, la réhabilitation et le développement (Linking Relief, Rehabilitation and Development - LRRD). Il vient s’ajouter à la somme de 20 millions € promise au début de 2014 pour soutenir le processus électoral. Au total, c’est un montant supplémentaire de 101 millions € qui a été débloqué en 2014 en faveur de la République centrafricaine en réponse immédiate à la crise. Cette aide relève du mécanisme de transition entre le 10e Fonds européen de développement (qui couvre la période 2008-2013) et le 11e FED (2014‑2020).

Entre 2008 et 2013, quelque 225 millions € ont été alloués au pays par l'intermédiaire des différents instruments financiers de l’UE (160 millions € au titre du 10e FED et 65 millions € sur le budget de l’UE).

La République centrafricaine couvre une superficie aussi grande que celle de la France et de la Belgique réunies. La crise actuelle touche la majorité de la population (4,6 millions de personnes, dont la moitié sont des enfants). Plus de 50 % des habitants ont cruellement besoin d’aide. Au 31 janvier, plus 825 000 personnes étaient déplacées à l'intérieur de leur pays (PDI). L’année dernière, plus de 245 000 Centrafricains sont partis se réfugier dans les pays voisins. L’absence d’accès rend difficile l’acheminement de l’aide d’urgence à ceux qui souffrent des conséquences de la violence.

Partenaire privilégié et donateur essentiel du pays, l’UE est le principal défenseur de la cause centrafricaine et le premier bailleur de fonds parmi les fournisseurs d'aide d’urgence. Ces relations sont régies par l’accord de Cotonou. Le rétablissement de la sécurité demeure la priorité immédiate pour stabiliser le pays et soutenir les avancées politiques; il est au cœur de l’aide au développement.

L’annonce faite aujourd’hui par le commissaire Piebalgs précède le 4e sommet Afrique-UE, qui aura lieu à Bruxelles les 2 et 3 avril 2014.

Le sommet de Bruxelles aura pour thème «Investir dans l'élément humain, la prospérité et la paix». Il devrait constituer une nouvelle avancée significative dans le partenariat entre l’UE et l’Afrique dans les trois domaines recensés.

Pour plus d'informations

Site internet de la direction générale du développement et de la coopération – EuropeAid:

http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/index_fr.htm

Site internet de M. Andris Piebalgs, commissaire européen au développement:

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/piebalgs/index_fr.htm

Contacts: Alexandre Polack (+32 2 299 06 77) Maria Sanchez Aponte (+32 2 298 10 35) -- EU Commissioner announces new support for Central African Republic during high level visit European Commission - IP/14/260   13/03/2014 Other available languages: FR DE ES LV Share  Expand  Back to the search results  DOC   PDF European Commission Press release Brussels, 13 March 2014 EU Commissioner announces new support for Central African Republic during high level visit European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, will today announce €81 million of new EU support to the Central African Republic (CAR) during a joint visit to the country with French Minister for Development, Pascal Canfin, and German Minister for Cooperation, Gerd Müller. The amount represents a significant boost in EU aid to the country and will help restore basic social services and livelihoods; particularly in the areas of education (for example, to help classes restart in schools which have been closed due to the conflict), health (to rehabilitate and reequip health centres), and food security and nutrition (to ensure agriculture continuity, for example, by providing seeds.) Ahead of his arrival, Commissioner Piebalgs said: “The Central African Republic and its people are facing unprecedented challenges, and it is more important than ever that we act now to put in place the foundations for stability and future development. “This is why we are determined to support the new Head of State in her will to restore security and bring peace back to the country. The problem of conflict is not solved, but we cannot afford to lose sight of our ambitions for long-term economic and social development and that starts with addressing people’s basic needs. Development is key to stability, which is why we continue to give it our full support". Schedule of Commissioner Piebalgs During his visit to CAR, Commissioner Piebalgs will meet the new transitional Head of State, Ms Catherine Catherine Samba-Panza. He will also visit the National Authority for elections (NAE), where he will meet the members of the NAE and discuss plans for the preparation of elections. The Commissioner will also visit health, food aid and cash for work programmes as well as the Palais de Justice and meet with civil society representatives , Erik Solheim Chairman of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will also take part in this joint mission. Background Today’s new funding is in line with the Commission’s LRRD approach (Linking Relief, Rehabilitation and Development). It comes in addition to €20m support to elections which was already announced earlier in 2014. Overall, an additional amount of €101m has been offered to the Central African Republic in 2014 as an immediate response to the crisis. This aid is part of the bridging facility between the 10th European Development Fund, or EDF (which runs from 2008-2013) and the 11th EDF (from 2014-2020.) Between 2008 and 2013, around €225 million were allocated for the whole country through the EU’s different financial instruments (€160 million through the 10th European Development Fund, or EDF, and €65 million through the EU budget). The Central African Republic is as large as France and Belgium put together. The current crisis is affecting the majority of the population (4.6 million, half of them children). More than 50% of the Central Africans are in dire need of aid. As of 31 January, there were more than 825,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in CAR. More than 245,000 Central Africans sought refuge in neighbouring countries in the course of last year. Lack of access makes it difficult to deliver the urgently-required assistance to those suffering the consequences of violence. The EU has taken the lead in advocacy and funding on CAR among relief donors, as a key partner of the Central African Republic and the country's main donor. Relations are bound by the Cotonou Agreement. The restoration of security remains the immediate priority in order to stabilise the country in support of the political process, and is at the heart of the development aid. Commissioner Piebalgs’ announcement today comes just ahead of the 4th Africa-EU Summit, which will take place in Brussels on 2-3 April 2014. The Brussels summit will be held under the theme "Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace". It is expected to mark a further significant step forward for the partnership between the EU and Africa in these three areas. For more information: Website of EuropeAid Development and Cooperation DG: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/index_en.htm Website of the European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/piebalgs/index_en.htm Contacts : Alexandre Polack (+32 2 299 06 77) Maria Sanchez Aponte (+32 2 298 10 35)

Centrafrique : Visite de Castors, et role des églises

Eglise évangélique des Frères Castors, quartier Castors, Bangui.

Pasteur David. 

WFP and Women - in Bangui

March 8 is a symbolic date for Women's rights, not for women as such.
In one day in the whole year, what can be done? 
Just willing to show examples of courage from those women I meet every day in the Central African Republic.

Here at the Freres Castors' church, quartier Castor, Bangui, 3th arrondissement, women struggling to get some food for their whole family:

March 8: For women of Central African Republic

#March8 is International Women's Day. 

Here to women/mothers in the CAR calling for peace and 

fighting for their family

--

Women from Bossangoa

UN OCHA warns about "the implistic notion of a ‘religious conflict’ in CAR"

CAR: The simplistic notion of a ‘religious conflict’

The town of Bambari in the Central African Republic’s Ouaka Province, has been spared the spiral of violence that has left countless communities torn apart across the country. It serves as a reminder that the crisis in CAR cannot be easily defined as a ‘religious conflict’.

Bambari’s Muslim, Catholic and Protestant leaders regularly organize gatherings – bringing together the different groups in an effort to maintain and strengthen the town’s cohesion. Gael Koumsoupon, a young Christian truck driver is an eager attendee.

He says he does not mind when these meetings are held at the local Mosque. Like other members of his community, he has always lived in peaceful, understated coexistence with his Muslim neighbours.

“Everybody in town supports peace initiatives,” he says, matter-of-factly. “If civilians are threatened in other parts of the country, they can seek refuge here, whatever their religious beliefs.”

Singa Edith, a mother of three agrees. “In Bambari things are different and I regret what is happening elsewhere. Muslim people should not have to leave the country.”

Feb 2014, Bambari, CAR: Students from Bamabari's Christian and Muslim communities during a lesson at the town's school. The peaceful coexistence of different religious groups in Bambari and in towns across the country serves as a reminder that the crisis in CAR cannot be easily defined as a 'religious conflict'. Credit: TRIANGLE/Erwin Daragne

As important as water or food

CAR: Location Map. Source: OCHA

Maintaining this dialogue and trust between Bambari’s communities is one of the priorities of the humanitarian groups in the town.

“The humanitarian community in the region is doing its utmost to preserve this cohesion,” says Narcisco Rosa-Berlanga, the Head of OCHA’s sub-office in Bambari. “It is as important as providing water or food.”

The groups are in constant contact with the town’s religious leaders, a dialogue that includes ongoing discussions about the possibility of relocating at-risk Muslim communities from other parts of CAR to Bambari.

“We feel safe here”

Bambari is not an exception. Over the past several weeks, more than 600 Muslim Fulani, fleeing attacks by armed militias, have taken refuge in the village of Tatale, in Ouham-Pende Province in the country’s north-west. The Christian population there is determined to protect them.

“We feel safe here,” says the Imam, who is still visibly shaken and exhausted. “The population of the village and surrounding areas have even collected food for us.”

A young woman cradling a baby in her arms explains that her community has nowhere to go and will stay in Tatale. “Christian women are helping us here. We go to the market and fetch water at the well together.”

Shared history, poverty and fear

Some Fulani children are now attending the school in Tatale, even though many of them lost their school books when they fled their homes.

Despite the strong sense of cohesion, life is difficult in Bambari and Tatale. Potable water is scarce, and food is running low as farmers have been too afraid to attend their fields. Livestock has been stolen and health centres looted and ransacked by armed groups. All live in fear of future attacks by ex-Seleka and Anti-Balaka militias, a shared experience that further strengthens the bonds between the communities.

Humanitarian actors have managed to expand their presence in Bambari but have remained cut off from Tatale after the bridge leading to the village collapsed.

“It is too easy and far too simplistic to call the crisis in the country a religious conflict,” says Barbara Shenstone, OCHA Head of Office in CAR.

“However, there is no doubt that across the country, the targeting of communities based on their religious beliefs has eroded the social fabric. It will take a long time for the country to heal from these wounds.”

CENTRAFRIQUE : ACF ALERTE FACE A L’EXPLOSION DE LA MALNUTRITION

Mardi 03 Mars 2014 COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE

REPUBLIQUE CENTRAFRICAINE :
ACTION CONTRE LA FAIM ALERTE FACE A L’EXPLOSION DE LA MALNUTRITION

Action contre la Faim alerte face à l’explosion à Bangui du nombre de personnes prises en charge pour la forme la plus grave de malnutrition ; la malnutrition aigüe sévère. L’insécurité et l’effondrement économique du pays ajoutés aux causes structurelles de la malnutrition ont un véritable impact sur les personnes les plus vulnérables. Le nombre de personnes souffrant de malnutrition risque d’encore augmenter avec l’entrée dans la période de soudure^* jusqu’en août/septembre prochain. 


En janvier et février 2014, les équipes d’Action contre la Faim constatent le triplement des admissions d’enfants malnutris dans les programmes nutritionnels de l’association par rapport aux mêmes mois les années précédentes. Plus de 1200 enfants ont été admis en traitement en février, et 1000 en janvier. A la même période les années précédentes, ces programmes accueillaient autour de 350 enfants. La couverture des programmes d’ACF s’est améliorée au long des années, mais une telle augmentation est le signe d’une dégradation forte de la situation nutritionnelle pour les plus pauvres.

Si une certaine amélioration de la sécurité dans Bangui a pu permettre à la plupart des centres de santé de ré-ouvrir et aux familles d’y accéder plus facilement, contrairement à décembre 2013, les 10 structures de santé soutenues par Action contre la Faim sont aujourd’hui débordées par la situation. 
C’est particulièrement le cas du Complexe Pédiatrique de Bangui qui reçoit les cas les plus graves nécessitant une hospitalisation : « L’hôpital pédiatrique compte à la base 56 lits pour les hospitalisations d’enfants malnutris. Or en février 256 enfants pour ce seul hôpital ont dû être admis dans l’unité nutritionnelle. Des équipes supplémentaires ont été embauchées et Action contre la Faim a déjà ajouté 3 grandes tentes pour faire face à l’afflux. Nous allons sans doute devoir en construire une quatrième. Tout le monde est débordé là-bas et l’hôpital a atteint les limites de ses capacités » explique Nicolas Fuchs, responsable de la mission d’Action contre la Faim en République centrafricaine.

En plus du soutien aux structures de santé de quartier, des équipes mobiles circulent d’un site de regroupement à l’autre pour dépister et prendre en charge les enfants atteints de malnutrition. Lors de ces dépistages actifs, les taux de malnutrition relevés sont extrêmement inquiétants avec notamment plus de 7% de malnutrition aigüe sévère parmi les 5000 enfants dépistés en février. On parle généralement d’urgence lorsque ce taux se situe au-dessus de 2%. 
« Nous voyons également de plus en plus de personnes venant de la lointaine périphérie de Bangui pour se faire soigner en ville car les centres de santé et la prise en charge nutritionnelle n’ont pas pu reprendre dans une grande partie du pays. Dans l’arrière-pays, nombreuses sont les familles qui vivent cachées en brousse dans des conditions sanitaires effroyables. Il est extrêmement difficile de les atteindre tant qu’elles sont cachées. Cela laisse présager une potentielle aggravation de la malnutrition. La situation en province nous préoccupe donc également beaucoup » ajoute Nicolas Fuchs.
Les équipes d’ACF suspectent également des cas de malnutrition aiguë sévère chez des adultes dans des sites particulièrement enclavés : phénomène extrêmement rare, c’est un signe fort de la gravité de la situation.

Action contre la Faim alerte sur l’impact énorme que la crise politique et sécuritaire a pour les familles centrafricaines. « La catastrophe humanitaire est immense et s’aggrave. La communauté internationale et humanitaire doit renforcer ces efforts tant humains que logistiques et financiers pour y faire face » poursuit Nicolas Fuchs.

*La période de soudure correspond à la période entre deux récoltes où les agriculteurs ont épuisé leur stock précédent et doivent attendre la récolte suivante.

New humanitarian crisis for those fleeing violence in CAR, according to Amnesty International

COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE

5 march 2014

Chad/CAR: New humanitarian crisis for those fleeing violence in CAR

3

Thousands of people forced to flee the violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) are now facing another humanitarian catastrophe in neighbouring Chad, said Amnesty International. The rainy season is due to start shortly and unless shelter, food and medical facilities are urgently made available their already desperate situation will quickly deteriorate.

A delegation from Amnesty International has spent the last two weeks interviewing survivors of violence in CAR and visiting the sites where they are staying along the Chad / CAR border and in the capital N’Djamena. The delegates found thousands of people who had been neglected by the authorities and humanitarian agencies, many suffering from severe malnutrition and with no shelter other than the shade of trees. Among them were a large number of children, many separated from their families in the chaos, and in urgent need of assistance.

“The situation is quite dire. We saw people who had been living in the open for weeks waiting for promised assistance. The rainy season is about to start, rendering many areas inaccessible, and bringing the added threat of waterborne diseases,” said Christian Mukosa, Central African Researcher at Amnesty International.

“It is unacceptable for thousands of men, women and children who were forced to leave CAR in fear of their lives, to die here in Chad for lack of even the most basic assistance. It is important that the Chadian government and the international community including the UN agencies urgently assist these people and ensure that they have security, access to food, medical services, and adequate shelter.”

Some of the sites where people are seeking refuge are dangerously close to the ongoing violence in CAR. Sido, in the south-east of Chad, is less than a kilometre from the border with CAR and hosts more than 8,000 people.

Having camps so close to the border is also contributing to increasing insecurity and vulnerability of refugees. One woman told Amnesty International that the Seleka commander who had attacked her in CAR had now moved into the camp she had fled to. Another refugee told the organization that he fears for his life after recognising at least four ex-Seleka fighters among the population of the site he was staying in.

“There is a real sense of fear in the camps as people from all sides of the conflict find themselves living alongside perpetrators of human rights abuses. It is an extremely dangerous situation, and with no security in place it’s just a matter of time before the conflict spreads,” said Christian Mukosa.

The team encountered only a few representatives from the Chadian authorities and humanitarian agencies and most people are forced to fend for themselves.

“The Chadian Government must take responsibility. They sent their army into CAR to rescue Chadians whose lives were in danger, but now they are sending them to communities without the resources to look after them,” said Christian Mukosa.

It is now clear that the Chadian government is struggling to cope with the huge numbers of people coming in. It is urgent that the international community coordinates efforts to assist the authorities to avoid a new humanitarian crisis.

It is also important that a coherent system is put in place to identify refugees and ensure that they receive the international protection they deserve. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Chadian authorities must coordinate and ensure that the process starts in all sites as soon as possible. --

Note to the editors

· Since December 2013, more than 70,000 people from CAR have registered as refugees in Chad. They were fleeing killings and other serious human rights abuses currently taking place in CAR. These people were evacuated by plane, some provided by the Chadian Government, and by convoys escorted by the Chadian Army. Others found their own way across the border. Most of the evacuees are Muslims, born in CAR but originally from Chad, but Amnesty International also saw evidence of people coming from CAR, Cameroon, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Niger, Sudan and Congo.

· The Amnesty International delegation conducted more than 200 interviews, in both CAR and Chad over the last three weeks.  In Chad they visited several sites (including the social centre number 7 and at Gaoui in N’Djamena,) and Sido, Damaya, Doba, Bekoninga, Gore and Moundou in southern Chad along the border with CAR.

· Amnesty International’s concerns were brought to the attention of the Chadian authorities including at meetings with the Minister of Social affairs and the Minister of Human Rights.

Bossangoa Muslim community: only a 1.000 left

In Bossangoa, 5.000 Muslims used to live peacefully before the crisis worsend in December 2013.

All have had to flee and got displaced. Now only 1.000 remain and they wish to leave for the extreme north of the Central African Republic, says Imam Ismail Nafi and his deputy Mahamat Mango.

According to the religious authority, WFP is the only agency helping them, and their are in need of mostly everything.

Some still managed to raise goats and to sell a few products, as they used to on the now destroyed market, to survive.

Here are some insight into their daily life at the Liberte school:

1. Melissa Chemam ‏@melissachemam  

   #CAR #RCA Muslim family in #Bossangoa where @WFP supplies are the only help 5000 fleeing ppl received, many now left: pic.twitter.com/C9FabObQTA

   

    

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3. Melissa Chemam ‏@melissachemam  25m

   #CAR #RCA I also visited the Muslim area of #Bossangoa where @WFP supplies are the only help 1.000 ppl left received pic.twitter.com/XPxxCwV5Oe

   

The mosque and the market have been completely destroyed two months ago:

WFP food distribution in Bossangoa: mothers receiving Plumpu Sup for their children