Monthly Report February Central African Republic

Transcription

1 Monthly Report February 2009 Central African Republic

2 Table of Contents Summary 3 Humanitarian Overview 4 Country Summary 4 Core Country Data 4 Political Summary 5 Insecurity 5 Assessment mission: Reaching the hard to reach 6 Surveying behavior patterns 6 Programme Updates 7 Education 7 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene 7 HIV/AIDS 8 NFIs and Shelters 8 Protection 8 Communication 9 UNICEF CAR Funding 10 COVER PHOTO: Hamatu is 5-years old. At the age of 2 her village was attacked by Coupeurs de Routes, road bandits. In the tumult Hamatu got separated from her parents and her siblings who now live as refugees in a camp in Cameroon. The bandits held the little girl captive until 2008 when government troops conducted a successful raid. By the extreme luck of events it was possible to locate Hamatu s grandmother. While Hamatu now lives with her grandmother we know little of her past experiences since the little girl choose to remain silent. In northern CAR, numerous children have been kidnapped by roaming gangs of Coupeurs de Routes. UNICEF CAR/2008/Holtz UNICEF Central African Republic 1

3 Table of Acronyms Acronym ACF AFEB APRD BONUCA CAM CAR COOPI CPJP DDR DRC FACA FDPC FGM GDP HIV/AIDS IDPs IMC IRC ITN KAP MICOPAX MLCJ NGO NRC OCHA PMTCT UNHCR UNESCO UNICEF UN WASH WHO Description Action Contre la Faim Association des Femmes Evangeliques de Bossangoa L Armée Populaire pour la Restauration de la République et la Démocratie United Nations Peace-building Office in the Central African Republic Comité d Aide Médicale Central African Republic Cooperazione Internazionale Convention des Patriotes pour la Justice et la Paix Disarmament Demobilization Reintegration Danish Refugee Council Forces Armées Centrafricaines Front Démocratique du Peuple Centrafricain Female Genital Mutilation Gross Domestic Product Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Internally Displaced Persons International Medical Corps International Rescue Committee insecticide treated bed net Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices Mission de consolidation de la paix en Centrafrique Mouvements des Liberateurs Centrafricains pour la Justice (MLCJ) Non-Governmental Organization Norwegian Refugee Council United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization United Nations Children s Fund United Nations Water, Sanitation and Hygiene World Health Organization UNICEF Central African Republic 2

4 Summary The UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon issued a report detailing the grave human rights violations perpetrated against children in CAR. The security situation in CAR remains unstable. Several serious assaults took place during the month of February in Bossembele, Bamata and Batangafo. The first meeting of the committee for the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programme for former fighters took place in Bangui from 3 to 5 February. Several UN agencies participated in an inter-agency mission to Vakaga with the objective of identifying the most pressing humanitarian needs among people living in this remote and often hard-to-reach region. A UNICEF-sponsored survey commenced on 21 February. Survey results will be used for developing communication strategies related to behavior changes in areas of breastfeeding practices, hygiene, and the use of insecticide treated bed nets. The Central African Republic Mora Mokolo Maroua Kaele Tchollire Bongor Pala Lai Kyabe CHAD Sarh Koumra Moundou Doba Am Timan Haraze BAMINGUI-BANGORAN Ndélé Birao VAKAGA CAMEROON Ngaoundere HAUTE-KOTTO SUDAN Garoua- Boulai Bouar NANA-MAMBÉRÉ Bozoum OUHAM Kaga-Bandoro Bossangoa KÉMO Sibut OMBELLA M'POKO OUAKA Bambari Bria MBOMOU HAUT-MBOMOU Obo Batouri MAMBÉRÉ-KADÉÏ Berbérati Nola Yokadouma BANGUI LOBAYE Bimbo Mbaïki Libenge Mobayi Mobaye Bangassou DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO Bondo km CONGO Bozene Gemena Budjala This report highlights UNICEF s actions in the Central African Republic in January It covers programmes throughout the country. This report does not summarize every activity undertaken. Instead it provides a sample of UNICEF s programming achievements and constraints in working in CAR. Bumba Aketi Buta Titule Isirio UNICEF Central African Republic 3

5 Humanitarian Overview Country Summary The Central African Republic s (CAR) political history since independence from France in 1960 has been marked by brutal dictatorships, unsteady and opportunistic interference from France, revolts and coups. In recent years, residents of the country s north have become increasingly victimized by armed groups, including rebel factions, gangs of bandits and the government army itself. These tensions have resulted in the displacement of more than 300,000 people and almost total destruction of the already underdeveloped infrastructure. kidnapping women and children, looting property and burning homes. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that up to a third of the 300,000 Central Africans forced from their homes in the past several years fled from bandits. Despite some modest improvements over the past few years, the situation of children in CAR continues to be of great concern to UNICEF. With an infant mortality rate of 106 per 1,000 and an under-5 mortality rate of 176 per 1,000, the country has some of the continent s worst child survival indicators. An estimated 38% of the country s under- 5s suffer from Global Chronic Malnutrition, while a further 10% suffer from Global Acute Malnutrition. In addition, the HIV prevalence (6.2%) is the highest in the region. More than 70% of the population is without access to adequate sanitation facilities, which means that preventable diseases are easily spread. UNICEF works closely with its partners to improve these indicators and enhance human welfare. Core Country Data Children enjoying each others company, Kaga Bandoro, northcentral CAR. UNICEF CAR/2007/Holtz Current figures estimate that of the one million people in CAR affected by conflict, some 105,000 have fled into neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Sudan, and 108,000 are internally displaced. In return, CAR has received thousands of refugees from the neighbouring conflicts in Sudan and Chad. Landlocked and encircled on three sides by countries in the midst of long-running wars, CAR is suffering from a multifaceted crisis where ongoing waves of violence combine with fierce poverty. The lives of women and children in these circumstances are severely impacted. Road bandits, known in CAR as Zaraguinas or Coupeurs de Route, frequently disrupt traffic and prevent the delivery of humanitarian aid. Banditry, rather than political conflict or military operation, is now the principal cause of human suffering in CAR. Bandits roam the dangerous northern regions of CAR, assaulting and killing travelers and villagers, Indicator Value Population 4,390,008 Human Development Index Rank 178 of 179 People affected by violence 1,000,000 Refugees in Chad, Cameroon and Sudan 105,745 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) 108,000 GDP per capita $754 Life expectancy at birth 40(m), 45(f) Infant Mortality Rate (per 1,000) 106 Child <5 Mortality Rate (per 1,000) 176 Maternal Mortality Rate (per 100,000) 1,355 People living on below US$1.25/day 62.4% Population with access to safe water 26.1% Children fully immunized 32.0% HIV overall prevalence 6.2% Global Acute Malnutrition 10.1% Global Chronic Malnutrition 38.0% Primary School Enrolment (net) 55.5% UNICEF Central African Republic 4

6 Political Summary The UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon issued a report on 3 February detailing the grave human rights violations perpetrated against children in the Central African Republic (CAR). The report highlights that children have been recruited by non-state armed groups and government-backed self-defense militias to participate in the ongoing conflict in northern CAR. Mr. Ban notes that children have become victims of widespread abuse including abductions, rape and other forms of sexual violence committed by all parties involved in the conflict. Mr. Ban calls for an immediate end to abuse and to the recruitment and use of children within armed ranks. I appeal to the Government to address the prevailing culture of impunity for grave violations against children, including child recruitment, sexual violence and abductions, through rigorous investigation and prosecution, says Mr. Ban. The Secretary-General s report further reiterates the urgency of concerted and immediate efforts by the Government, relevant UN agencies and international NGOs in providing assistance to all vulnerable children in CAR. Drawings of war on a wall of a building outside Paoua, Ouham Pende, northwest CAR. UNICEF CAR/2007/Holtz The first meeting of the committee for the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programme for former fighters took place in Bangui from 3-5 February. as well as partners such as UN agencies, the European Commission, France and the regional peacekeeping force, MICOPAX. The first meeting of the Committee was tasked with establishing the eligibility criteria and status for combatants, lists of combatants and their weapons, the location of combatants and their assembly sites, security for these sites of assembly, disarmament checks and controls as well as the adoption of a phased programme. The Peace Building Fund for CAR has already set aside US$4 million to support the DDR process; the European Union has also committed 50 million Euro. The immediate start of the DDR programme is one of the most fundamental and urgent recommendations put forward at the Inclusive Political Dialogue. Insecurity The security situation in CAR remains unstable. While Bangui is relatively safe, areas outside the capital are lawless and violent. Several serious assaults took place during the month of February. Bossembele came under attack on 13 February. About 80 unidentified armed men led simultaneous attack on the military base and the prison in the town of Bossembele (160km northeast of Bangui). The armed group seized weaponry and released a number of prisoners. Clashes took place between the armed group and the national armed forces (FACA). According to sources, one soldier (presidential guard) was killed during the attacks while others were injured. Convention des Patriotes pour la Justice et la Paix (CPJP) together with Mouvements des Liberateurs Centrafricains pour la Justice (MLCJ) later claimed joint responsibility for the attacks. Bossemptele OUHAM OMBELLA M'POKO Yaloké Bogangolo Bossembélé KÉMO Sibut The committee is headed by the United Nations Secretary General s Special Representative in CAR, represented by Steven Ursino. The two vice presidents are Jean-Jacques Demafouth from the Armée Populaire pour la Restauration de la Démocratie (APRD) as well as Cyriaque Gonda, Minister of State and National Reconciliation and Dialogue Monitoring. The committee is made up of representatives from five politico-military movements Gadzi Boganangone Boda Boganda LOBAYE Bambio SANGHA-MBAÉRÉ Mbaïki Boali Bimbo Damara BANGUI km UNICEF Central African Republic 5

7 Clashes took place in Bamatara (32km west of Kaga Bandoro) on 14 February. Chadian herders clashed with Alliance pour la Restoration de la Republique et de la Démocratie (APRD) and between 8 and 16 herders were killed. On 21 February herders retaliated against two villages along the Botto axis some 30km from Kaga Bandoro. Houses were burned and at this point an unknown number of people were wounded. Diplomatic measures are taking place between CAR and Chad. OUHAM PENDÉ Bozoum Baoro Paoua km Markounda CHAD Nana-Bakassa OUHAM Batangafo Bossangoa Bossemptele Bogangolo OMBELLA M'POKO Yaloké Kabo Bouca Ouandago NANA-GRIBIZI Bamatara Kaga-Bandoro Sibut Botto Dekoa KÉMO Mbrès Grimari OUAKA UNICEF supports health, protection and WASH activities in Vakaga through three NGOs, Comité d Aide Médicale (CAM), International Medical Corps (IMC), and Triangle. UNICEF also supported the Ministry of Public Health during polio, maternal and neonatal immunization campaigns in Vakaga which took place during the month of February. Surveying behavior patterns The data collection for the UNICEF-sponsored KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices) survey commenced on 21 February. Survey results will be used for developing adapted communication strategies related to behavior changes in the following areas: breastfeeding practices, hygiene, and the use of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs). CAR has one of the highest infant mortality rates worldwide. Several studies have shown that improving breastfeeding practices, hygiene, and use of insecticide treated bed nets reduce the mortality of young children by more than half. Batangafo came under attack on 21 February when some armed men of Front Démocratique du Peuple Centrafricain (FDPC) attacked the national armed forces (FACA). FDPC seized FACA weaponry and looted food stock from INGO warehouses. No casualties are reported. Assessment mission: Reaching the hard to reach UNICEF participated in an inter-agency mission to Vakaga from 10 to 25 February. Several UN agencies were represented including OCHA, WHO and UNESCO. The objective was to identify the most pressing crosssector needs among people living in this often hardto-reach region. Vakaga is difficult to access due to the poor roads and during the rainy season (6 months) the region is practically inaccessible. The majority of the 57,660 total population has been affected by conflict. The mission additionally evaluated the impact of flooding in relation to food security, established population movements and followed up on supported activities in the region. Upon completion mission participants made several recommendations in areas of protection, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), health, nutrition, education, HIV/AIDS, gender and security. Healthy babies after treatment at UNICEF-supported nutritional therapeutic unit. Bossangoa, northwest CAR. UNICEF CAR/2008/Holtz Development efforts are hindered by poor health and in order to reverse this we need to abandon harmful practices contributing to deadly diseases. The aim of the KAP survey is to collect information related to knowledge, attitudes and practices pertaining to preventable diseases such as diarrhea and malaria. Data collectors will gather information on the general lack of breastfeeding, lack of basic of hygiene practices, including hand washing, and the minimal use of ITNs. The KAP survey will take place in the districts of Bangui and in five prefectures: Ouham, Ouaka, Mbomou, Mambéré Kadei and Lobaye. Data collection will be completed by the end of March. The final report will be delivered on 08 May UNICEF Central African Republic 6

8 Programme Updates Education During the month of February the Education section conducted a number of missions. One went on the axis Bossangoa-Markounda, Ouham prefecture, north-western CAR. The axis is marked by considerable levels of insecurity and population movements especially towards Chad. The mission found that overall there is a low level of enrolment in the 33 schools in the sub-prefecture of Makounda (bordering Chad). Retention rates are infrequent due to ongoing family movements. There is a serious lack of national or international presence within the domain of education including all other humanitarian fields. As a result students and parent-teachers receive minimal support. Basic school supplies such as blackboards and books are needed. arithmetic books, which were distributed in the prefectures of Ouham and Ouham Pende. Health and Nutrition A national polio immunization campaign took place from 15 to 17 February. Around 760,000 children under the age of 5 were vaccinated in response to the two cases of Wild Polio discovered at the end of UNICEF supported an immunization campaign against Yellow Fever in the two prefectures of Upper Kotto and Ombella M poko. In Upper Kotto a total of 66,010 persons above the age of 9 months were vaccinated (69% coverage). In Ombella M poko some 153,000 received the vaccine (95% coverage). Nationwide 120 cases of meningitis were confirmed during the months of January and February. The lethality rate is high peaking at 23%. However, the alert threshold was reached in the prefecture of Nana Gribizi exclusively and case management was reinforced through the use of essential drugs. The surveillance mechanism is on alert in this part of the country. A young student by the blackboard. Gordil, northeastern CAR. UNICEF CAR/2007/Holtz On 20 February, the General Director of primary education chaired an Education cluster meeting in Bangui. The final format of an awaited data collection tool was presented and a visiting representative of the World Bank explained the final conditions in signing the Fast Track funds to accelerate primary education. On 23 February, education partners from three prefectures, Ouham, Ouham Pende and Nana Mambere met in Bossangoa to evaluate 2008 results and to discuss better coordination of future activities. Some 35 people representing the government, UN agencies, national and international NGOs participated in the meeting. UNICEF distributed school supplies through its NGO partners, COOPI and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Supplies included blackboards, reading and Exactly 2 positive cases of measles were diagnosed out of 37 suspect cases investigated during the month of February. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene UNICEF-donated jerry cans for collecting water. Ouadda, northeastern CAR. UNICEF CAR/2007/Holtz UNICEF and its WASH partners in northwestern CAR met on 3 February to review 2009 activity plans and UNICEF Central African Republic 7

9 share technical experience on school-latrine construction and hygiene promotion. During the month of February, UNICEF entered a partnership with Action Contre la Faim (ACF) to provide WASH Non-Food Items (NFIs) in two subprefectures, Bossangoa and Paoua. The NFIs will complement the construction of 15 boreholes in Bossangoa and the distribution of 2,200 household water filters in Paoua as well as establishing a depot for hand-pumps spare parts. It is estimated that 6,000 people will benefit from the borehole construction program and some 11,000 IDPs will benefit from the distribution of household water filters. The spare parts depot in Paoua will be accessible to all water committees and hand-pump mechanics living in the sub-prefecture of Paoua. UNICEF and IRC finalized an agreement of some $US 10,000 to improve water access for displaced and conflict-affected communities along the Kaga- Bandoro - Ouandago axis and at the hospital in Kaga- Bandoro. Upcoming activities include the repair of 10 boreholes equipped with hand-pumps and cleaning and disinfection of 23 shallow wells. Some 52,000 inhabitants will benefit from the improvements. A joint evaluation mission was conducted by UNICEF and the government, Direction Generale de l Hydraulique, in the prefectures of Bossangoa and Ouham. The mission evaluated a 2008 boreholeconstruction program funded by UNICEF. The mission inspected 15 boreholes performing bacteriological, conductivity and ph testing. All inspected boreholes were deemed functional but certain aspects such as slab design, hygiene practices and training of water committees call for further improvement in future programs.the Direction Generale de l Hydraulique will also need to be provided with means to adequately supervise and monitor projects. HIV/AIDS A multi-sector workshop in line with the development of the Sector Plan for Youth and Teenage HIV and AIDS was held from 2-6 February. All institutions with a youth mandate took part including the Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, UNESCO, national and international NGOs among others. The Sector Plan for Youth and Teenage HIV and AIDS in CAR is the basic operational tool for implementing the National Strategic Framework for the Response to HIV / AIDS. In addition to the overall goal, which is to direct all activities for the fight against HIV / AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases among youth and adolescents, the Sector Plan serves as the model for advocacy and resource mobilization. A mother with her sick child waits for medical consultation at Bocaranga hospital. The sign on the wall reads: AIDS is here and it kills. Protect ourselves from it. North-western CAR. UNICEF CAR/2008/Holtz During the month of February, UNICEF supported training sessions for lab assistants and health workers on Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. Six teams consisting of 10 personnel visited the National Reference Laboratory where they updated their skills in the area of early biological diagnosis of HIV and the advantages related to the treatment of HIV-positive pregnant women and their offspring. NFIs and Shelters The security incidents in the prefectures of Bamingui Bangoran during the last half of January resulted in families being internally displaced. Clashes between the national army (FACA) and a recently formed rebel group, Convention des Patriotes pour la Justice et la Paix (CPJP) caused an estimated 2,000 families to flee their homes along the axis Ndele-Ngarba. Based on evaluated needs UNICEF and UNHCR together with partner NGO International Medical Corps (IMC), distributed 1,630 household kits to affected families. The kits were comprised of blankets, plastic mats, a water container, soap and plastic sheeting. The incidents caused hundreds of families to seek refuge in a camp across the border in Chad. Protection International Day Against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a UNICEF-sponsored awareness day that takes place on 6 February each year. In Bangui, the slogan of this year ran, Political will at the heart of action against FGM - Zero Tolerance. The Minister of Social Affairs chaired an event which included participants from local NGOs, UN agencies, a host of UNICEF Central African Republic 8

10 parliamentarians and other stakeholders. UNICEF provided technical and financial means for coordination of the event. During the month of February UNICEF, BONUCA and UNHCR jointly trained 50 MICOPAX peace-keepers on child protection in conflict situations. Some 30 commanders (28 men and 2 women) of L Armée Populaire pour la Restauration de la République et la Démocratie (APRD) were trained on the rights and protection of children and the roles of the military in protecting children affected by armed conflict. UNICEF s partner, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), conducted the training of APRD commanders. be among the first to be temporarily accommodated in a transition centre which is currently under construction. The centre will function as a step in the process of DDR. Communication Award-winning journalist Sorious Samura visited CAR from 22 February to 8 March. Together with a Director/camera operator from the UK-based Insight News TV, Samura spent time in Bangui and Lobaye filming a documentary on witchcraft practices in relation to the judicial system. From 17 to 20 February, UNICEF provided training to 24 staff from partner NGOs. The training concerned techniques for identifying and documenting families with separated children, processes of demobilization/separation and reintegration of children associated with armed groups, caring for children in distress, and methods of effective communication with vulnerable children. Association des Femmes Evangeliques de Bossangoa (AFEB), a local NGO partnering with UNICEF, provided support to 372 orphans and vulnerable children (124 girls and 248 boys) residing in and around Bossangoa, Ouham prefecture. The children received counseling, home visits and psychosocial support through integrated and recreational activities. During his time in CAR journalist, Sorious Samura, encountered everyone from traditional healers to witches and members of the judicial system. Here he is pictured in Mbeiki prison, Lobaye, where 6 women are currently imprisoned for charges related to witchcraft. 2009/Aleksandra Cimpric Belief in witchcraft is traditional and widespread in CAR. Witchcraft is a criminal offense under the penal code. Hundreds if not thousands of individuals mainly vulnerable children and women - have been arrested for these practices. More again become victims of cruel community mob justice. Apart from producing a film for Insight News TV, the team shot footage for a UNICEF educational documentary film, which will be used as an awareness raising tool. Children attending classes at AEFB project site, Bossangoa, Ouham, north-western CAR. AFEB was established by a group of women upon returning to Bossangoa in the aftermath of the violence during the coup d etat. UNICEF CAR/2008/Holtz COVER PHOTO by Pierre Holtz: Hamatu is 5-years old. At the age of 2 her village was attacked by Coupeurs de Routes, road bandits. In the tumult Hamatu got separated from her parents and her siblings who now live as refugees in a camp in Cameroon. The Protection section continued negotiations with APRD for the release of children within its ranks. Partner NGOs received recreational kits and technical support in preparation for welcoming released children associated with armed groups. A group of children are currently grouped in a location close to Paoua, Ouham Pende prefecture. These children will UNICEF Central African Republic 9

11 UNICEF CAR Funding Country Programme Funding Status at end of February 2009 Appeal Sector Requirements Funds Received Funds Carried Over Unmet Requirements Unfunded Education 3,913,941 2,409,002 53,415 1,451,524 37% Child Survival & Development 10,755,160 2,219, ,093 8,082,389 75% HIV/AIDS & Children 2,021, ,346 33,564 1,399,090 69% Protection 3,577,194 2,639, , ,342 23% Advocacy for policies & partnerships 1,902, , , ,377 50% Cross-Sectoral N/A 1,105,182 12,522-1,117,432 N/A Total: 22,169,415 9,770, ,522 11,584, % All amounts shown in US dollars UNICEF would like to express its gratitude to donors. Your donations have significantly improved the ability of UNICEF CAR to respond to the needs of some of the country s most vulnerable women and children. UNICEF hopes that this support will continue in the future so that we can expand our programmes to areas where they are most needed. Contact Marie Coutin, UNICEF Communications Officer mcoutin@unicef.org, Tel: , Mob: UNICEF Bangui, PO Box 907, CAR. Web: UNICEF Central African Republic 10