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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.

U.S. Government Provides Emergency Assistance to Central African Republic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2007
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov

Washington, D.C. - Responding to the request of the Government of the Central African Republic (CAR), U.S. Chargé d'Affaires A. James Panos declared a disaster in the CAR due to the increasing humanitarian needs in the country as a result of escalating violence. In response, the U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) coordinated an airlift of emergency relief supplies including blankets, plastic sheeting, and water containers valued at more than $175,000. The relief commodities will be consigned to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) for distribution to assist 20,000 internally displaced persons in affected northern prefectures.

Increasing violence between the Government of CAR and armed opposition groups, widespread banditry and insecurity have displaced an estimated 150,000 people in the northern part of the country. The most-affected areas include Ouham, Ouham-Pendé, Gribingui, Haute-Kotto, Vakaga, and Bamingui-Bangoran prefectures. Displaced families have limited access to food, clean water, and health care. Additionally, insecurity prevented many subsistence farmers from planting or harvesting crops in the 2006 season in October. Recent assessments by USAID representatives confirm that humanitarian emergency indicators, such as food security are in decline.

Since late 2006, USAID has supported emergency assistance programs to rehabilitate water sources and to conduct food security assessments in affected areas. A USAID team is currently in CAR and will continue to monitor the evolving situation and provide updates as appropriate.

For more information about our humanitarian assistance programs, please visit: www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/.

The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.

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